
Class _L_ 

Book. X 

CoEyrigM?- 



COKfRIGHT DEFOSm 



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General George Washington 
Commander-in-Chief 



Painted by Col. Trumbull from studies 
probably made at Valley Forge 






VALLEY FORGE 

A Chronicle of American Heroism 




FRANK H. TAYLOR 

Author and Illustrator 



Issued under the direction of 



The Valley Forge Park Commission 



JAMES W. NAGLE 

Publisher 
425 Walnut Street Philadelphia 



'905 






LIBRARY of OONGRESS 
fwo Copies rtecwvea 

JUN B' 1905 

Oopjriiiiii ti'TV 
4uvSS Ox AXc. Nm 
COPY 




ALFRED M 
SLOCUM Co 
Printers 




J\ 



PREFACE 




THE notations employed in this narration 
are selected from the "Wayne Orderly 
book," which is deposited in the collection 
of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, and 
from the "Weedon Orderly book," which was, 
in 1839, presented by a descendant of General 
Weedon to the Library of the American 
Philosophical Society, in Philadelphia, where 
it still reposes. A limited edition of this book 
was published, recently, under the direction of 
Governor Samuel W. Pennypacker. 

Other pul)lications and manuscripts consulted 
7- and (|uote(l are, especially, the files of the 
Pouisylvania Magazine, the original roster of 
the regiments which were present at the evacuation of the 
Valley Forge camp (in possession of the Historical Society of 
Pennsylvania), Watson's Annals, Godfrey's "The Commander- 
in-Chief's Guard," Stedman's History of the American War, 
London, 1794; address of Henry Armitt Brown, Esq.; address 
by Peter Boyd, Esq., at the dedication of the monument at John 
Waterman's grave, Oct. 19, 1901 ; Sabine's American Loyalists 
and a series of British regimental histories in the collection of 
Mr. Reginald L. Hart. 

The illustrations, mainly from photographs by the author, 
also include many headquarters' buildings from photographs 
taken by Miss L. A. Sampson, of Berwyn, Pa., and several by 
Mr. S. R. Fisher, of Norristown, Pa. 

Countless pens have been busy with the story of Valley 
Forge. The testimony of many who were participants in or 
witnesses of its events, pathetic, thrilling and inspiring, have 
been preserved for the study of those who seek to again sketch 
the vivid picture of which the place, as it exists to-day, is but 
the frame. 

It only remains, therefore, to so rehearse the tale and arrange 
its corroborative evidence in some show of order that it mav be 
convenient for those who are disposed to read these pages. 

The Author. 



CONTENTS 

CHAPTER I. PAGE 

Valley Forge in 1777 13 

CHAPTER H. 
Impulse of the Valley Forge Centennial ... .... 14 

CHAPTER HI. 
The British Army in Philadelphia 19 

CHAPTF:R IV. 
Occupation of Valley Forge (The Continental Army) . . 22 

CHAPTER V. 
The Commander-in-Chief's Life Guard 29 

CHAPTER VT 
A Word Picture ot the Camp 30 

CHAPTER Vn. 
Quarters of Officers at Valley Forge in 1777-78 .... 34 

CHAPTER Vni. 
Routine of the Camp 38 

CHAPTER EX. 
The Cry of Distress 43 

CHAPTER X. 
The Conway Cabal 49 

CHAPTER XL 
The Oath of Allegiance 49 

CHAPTER Xn. 
The Coming of Baron Steuben 53 

CHAPTER Xni. 
Lee's Return from Captivity 56 



CONTENTS.— Continued 

CHAPTER XIV. P^GE 

The French Alliance 56 

CHAPTER XV. 
The Marquis de Lafayette 62 

CHAPTER XVI. 
Departure of the Army from Valley Forge 65 

CHAPTER XVII. 
Some Who Served at Valley Forge 66 

CHAPTER XVIII. 
Valley Forge in After Years 66 

CHAPTER XIX. 
The Tribute ot a British Officer 69 

EXPLANATORY NOTP:S 71 

Regiments and other Organizations, Revolutionary Army 

of 1778 loi 

Record of the British Troops in Philadelphia Occu- 
pation 103 

The Hessian Contingent in America 109 

The Loyalists and What Became of Them 109 

The Cost of the War 1 1 o 

Total Number of Those Who Served in the American 

Army no 




PRESENT COMMISSIONERS 




lOHN W. WOODSIDE, President 
W. H. Sayen, Vice-President 
Edward A. Price, Treasurer, Media, Pa. 
Henry A. Muhlenberg, Reading, Pa. 
Samuel S. HARTRANFT, Lebanon, Pa. 



J. P. Hale Jenkins, Norristown, Pa. 

M. G. Rrumeaugh, Philadelpliia, Pa. 

John P. Nicholson, Philadelphia, Pa. 

WM. A. PATTON, Philadelphia, Pa. 

A. H BOWEN, Secretary, 112 S. 2d St., Philada., 



THE VALLEY FORGE 
PARK COMMISSION 



" To acquire, maintain, and preserve forever 
The Revolutionary CAMP GROUND at Valley Forge, 
for the free enjoyment of the people of the State." 

The Commissioners met for organization upon June 17, 1893, 
in Philadelphia. Soon afterward Prof. Lewis M. Haupt, official 
engineer, made a complete survey of the camp site. The work 
of securing the desired lands was then commenced. This was 
finally accomplished, chiefly by compromise between the valua- 
tions made by the jurors and those named by the owners. The 
average price paid was $135.94 per acre. In the process of thus 
securing title several owners contested the awards while, upon 
the other hand, in one instance, that of the heirs of Jacob Vogdes, 
the land was donated to the State. The land secured at the end 
of 1896 aggregated two hundred and thirty-three acres. Since 
that year further tracts have been ptirchased, the whole at the 
present time amounting to about four hundred acres. The 
amount expended to the end of 1904, since the beginning of the 
work, aggregates $116,000. 

At its last session the Pennsylvania Legislatm^e appropriated 
for the further work proposed the sum of $115,815 and the 
further sum of $30,000 for an equestrian statue of General 
Wayne, which will probably be located upon the site of the 
cantonment of the Pennsylvania troops. 

The Commission has performed a vast amoiuit of detail work 
in the course of the dozen years of its existence and has been 
ably sustained and aided by the successive Governors and the 
legislators, but by none so effectually and earnestly as by our 
present Governor, the Hon. Sanuiel W. Pennypacker, whose 
interest in the subject has been constant from the beginning. 

The physical work already done upon the field is fully set forth 
in the following pages. 




THE SONG OF VALLEY FORGE 

"We go with the axe our huts to raise, 
And then to creep to the camp-tire's blaze, 
And talk, as our heartstrings closer twine, 
Of comrades lost at Brandywine. 

"We will know what famine means, and wish 
For the nook of home and the smoking dish; 
And our aching limbs as they shrink with cold 
Will feel how scant is the garment's fold. 

"The foe will lodge in the city gay, 
And Howe and his troops keep cares away. 
And the feast and dance will loudly tell 
How St. George's sons hold carnival. 

"But we in the rude-built huts will wait 
For a brighter day and a nobler fate; 
And as clings to the sire the trusting son 
We will nestle close to our Washington." 

■ — Lyrics of the Rcvohition. 




CHAPTER I. 

VALLEY FORGE IN SEVENTEEN SEVENTY-SEVEN 






NINETEEN miles in a direct line northwest from the centre 
of Philadelphia a small stream, having its rise in the 
fertile bottoms of the Chester Valley, pours northward 
through a deep and shadowy defile into the Schuylkill River. 
Midway up this ravine, distant half a mile from the river, a small 
iron-working industry called the Mountjoy Forge had been in 
operation many years prior to the Revolutionary War. This 
forge was reputed to have been the first one built 
in the province. One report refers to its sale by 
the original owner in 1719, but Mr. Howard M. 
Jenkins, after a painstaking search of the records, 
states that it was built by Stephen Evans, Daniel 
Walker and Joseph Williams in 1742, and was sold 
wholly or in part to John Potts a few years later. 
He also concludes that it was situated upon the 
eastern side of the stream. It was commonly called 
the valley forge. Further down the stream were a 
saw mill and a grist mill. Nearby, with an outlook 
upon the river, was the stone residence which, at the 
opening of the Revolutionary war, was the home of 
Isaac Potts, grandson of John Potts, who operated the 
saw and grist mills. The forge was owned by William 
Dewees, a colonel of militia. Information having reached 
the British officers that a quantity of ordnance stores and 
flour intended for the Continental army were stored here, the 
enemy burned the lower mills and the house of Colonel Dewees 
during the march of the British column through this section in 
September, 1777.^ The forge was not burned. It was from 
this forge that many a camp-oven w^as provided with iron plates 
taken by the soldiers. - 

The heights were covered by the primeval forest, but the 
arable land in the vicinity in both Montgomery and Chester 
Counties was farmed by the thrifty Quaker element, which had 
long been settled here. 

To the neighborhood of this retired spot came the Continental 
Army, upon December 19, 1777, seventy-six days after the dis- 
astrous battle of Germantown. 




13 



General Howe, with an army of 18,000 veteran troops, was 
securely lodged in the comfortable city of Philadelphia, with no 
apparent idea of leaving until the winter was passed.'' 

General Washington brought to this refuge from his camps 
in the vicinity of White Marsh, a place twelve miles from the 
city, a force of about 11,000 men. His army remained in its 
quarters upon these bleak hills six months, and during that 
period sulTered hardships, which have made the name of Valley 
Forge the synonym of all that is heroic and faithful in the fame 
of the men who served in the patriot army and finally secured to 
us the liberties under which this nation has ever since existed, 
prospered and multiplied. 

When the soldiers of the Continental regiments moved away 
from Valley Forge upon the evacuation of Philadelphia by the 
British they left, either in unmarked graves or in the hospitals 
scattered through the eastern part of the State, between three 
and four thousands of their comrades, who had surrendered to 
privations greater than which no army in ancient or modern 
times has been called upon to endure. 

Nothing could perhaps more significantly emphasize the mis- 
ery of the time than the fact that no accurate or even approxi- 
mate record of deaths at Valley Forge has been found, nor is it 
known with certainty where the common burial place is located. 
Of all the hapless victims of the camp but one is known by 
name and sleeps in an identified grave.* 

For a century the scene of this encampment remained without 
dedication to the sacred memory of these heroes. 

CHAPTER II. 

IMPULSE OF THE VALIEY FORGE CENTENNIAL 

In 1878 the centennial of the withdrawal of the army from 
Valley Forge was celebrated by the presence of the Pennsyl- 
vania National Guards and by appropriate addresses by 
distinguished speakers. 

Through the patriotic impulse resulting from this event the 
Valley Forge Centennial Association was formed and money was 
raised to purchase the old Isaac Potts house and its grounds, 
occupied by General Washington as his headquarters after the 
army had constructed its encampment. This was done, and the 
old mansion became a much visited place. ^ 

Through persistent effort upon the part of the Association a 
Commission was appointed under an Act of the Legislature of 

14 




'jy.i'.Ms-T <-/ "-■^,:s*a« 



15 



May 30, 1893, to carry into effect its purpose to acquire, by the 
State of Pennsylvania, "a certain ground at Valley Forge for a 
public park." 

In the course of the eleven years which have followed, the 
Commission has purchased about 400 acres of ground, mcluding 
nearly all essential territory requisite to the preservation of ex- 
isting defensive works and the location and marking of all por- 
tions of the encampment. The old public roads traversing the 
scene have been improved, and several miles of park drives have 
been completed, the latter following parallel with the interior 
line of defense.'^ Further purchases and drives are projected 
which will give access to the line of the main camp as far as 
Trout Run, some two miles to the eastward of Vallev Forge 
stream. The forest has been cleared of underbrush and the 
visible entrenchment line has been safeguarded. Such redoubts 
as originally existed along the front of the main camp and upon 
the elevations near the river have long since disappeared through 
the action of the elements and by the plow, but the upper works, 
protected by a thick growth of timber, have remained in a 
remarkably well-preserved condition. 

A number of substantial old farm houses upon the reservation 
or in the vicinity, which were used by the several general officers 
as headquarters, also exist in much the same condition as they 
were during the Revolution. 

The general contour of the encampment plateau is rolling, the 
average elevation being about two hundred feet above tide, but 
rising to the westward into two rounded elevations, which are 
respectively 340 and 424 feet high, the Valley Creek flowing 
along their precipitous western bases. From these hills, and, 
in fact, from all parts of the camp-ground, a clear view is enjoyed 
of a far-reaching expanse of country, now largely farmed or 
occupied by splendid private estates. 

Far down the field of Valley Forge, nearly one mile eastward 
from the Huntingdon redoubt, stands the shaft marking the 
grave of John Waterman, of Rhode Island, Commissary in Var- 
num's brigade. This monument is erected upon ground which, 
with its approach, was presented for the purpose by Major and 
Mrs. I. Heston Todd to the Daughters of the Revolution who 
dedicated it upon October 19, 1901 ; Peter Boyd, Esq., of Phila- 
delphia, making the address. Many costly monuments erected 
by the original thirteen States will eventually punctuate the most 
interesting points of the scene.'' 

16 



Pf.nnsylvania fs. 

_^ ~ voluntarily inliftcd 

a Soldier, until the Firft Day of January. 1778, imlefs fooner 
difcharged, in the Troops ordered to be railed by the A.ffem- 
b]y of Pcnnfylvania, and fubjeding myfelf to fuch Rules and 
Articles, as are or fhall be made or direded by the faid Affen;-. 
bly, for regulating and governing the faid Troops, —do hereby 
folemnly promife and #>^^'*5*-^ that, in this Service, I will truly 
and faithfully obey the prefent and any Affembly of this Colony, 
and, in their Recefs, any Committee of Safety, by them ap- 
pointed for the Time being, and, in Purfuance of their J3irec- 
tion and Command, fuch Officers as fhall be placed in Authority 
over me; — and that I will, to the utmofl of my Power, defend 
the Rights and Liberties of this Province, and of America 
in general, and will oppofe and refift any Force or Enemies- 
;hat lliail ad, or be employed, againf^ them. 

So help me -;J>'-*'' - 
„:'m/^7'7„- before me ■ y-yy^y^ 



Enlistment Form of 1776 



17 




Monument at the Grave ok John Waterj 



CHAPTER III. 

THE BRITISH ARMY IN PHILADELPHIA 

A clear understanding of the causes which finally led to the 
selection of this place as the winter refuge of the army requires 
the recital of the events immediately preceding its occupation. 
Upon October 19, 1777, Sir William Howe moved his forces into 
the city of Philadelphia. The nervous suspense of the inhabit- 
ants sustained, already, for many weeks culminated, upon that 
memorable day, when a squadron of dragoons galloped down 
Second Street through crowds of expectant onlookers, soon fol- 
lowed by a column of the grenadiers, brilliant in their red coats, 
red caps, fronted wnth silver shields, and white leggings. Lord 
Cornwallis and his staff in the lead. Riding with them, their 
faces doubtless reflecting their sense of triumph, were five 
civilians — Joseph Galloway, Enoch Story, Tench Coxe, Andrew 
Allen and William Allen, all bitter Tories, men whose names 
were to appear a few years later among those adjudged to be 
traitors and aliens. * 

Behind the grenadiers came the hated Hessians, barbaric in 
their fierce moustaches, their uniforms of dark blue and towering 
brass headgear. The columns, artillery and baggage soon 
choked the central streets of the town,^ and staff officers were 
busy everywhere in securing buildings of suitable comfort as 
headquarters for their respective chiefs. ^° With the adaptability 
of a trained and veteran force the army of British and mercen- 
aries was later housed snugly and securely in the rear of their 
defenses for the coming period of comparative idleness. The 
streets were gay with brilliant groups, the taverns roaring with 
business, and pageantry of war everywhere rife.^^ An entrench- 
ment was run from a redoubt at a point now the intersection of 
Twenty-second and Chestnut Streets along the eastern side of 
the Schuylkill River to the elevation at Fairmount, which has, 
for nearly a century, been used as a basin of water supply. From 
a redoubt at this point the entrenchment was extended to the 
Delaware River along the ridge behind Hickory Lane (Coates 
Street, now Fairmount Avenue), and including the Bush Hill 
property; behind this (see map) were aligned the regiments just 
to the north of the present line of Callowhill Street.^- The old 
British Barracks at Campingtown, Green Street, between Second 
and Third Streets, were used, and also the Bettering House 
and other large buildings.^" 

The several roads leading outward in the direction of the 

19 



American camps were patrolled as follows: Ridge Road was 
watched by the Yagers. The light infantry of the line guarded 
Germantown Road.^* The light infantry of the guard patrolled 
Old York (or York Town) Road and the Queen's Rangers (pro- 
vincials) watched the Frankford Road. These outer guards were, 
in turn, covered by bodies of cavalry, which operated in fact in 
all directions from the town in order to afford the country people, 
who were often hiding in the woods with their supplies, a safe 
conduct to market. This procedure continued through the 
winter attended by constant minor conflicts. 

Both armies foraged far. In February General Wayne de- 
toured into South Jersey to obtain cattle, in which he was suc- 
cessful. Occasionally considerable expeditions of the British 
were sent out to forage, as in the case of the raid down the river 
to Salem, resulting in the massacre of patriot outposts upon 
Alawa's Creek at Quinton's Bridge and Hancock House. 

Within the town, where, with the soldiery, some sixty thousand 
people were living, the ordinary affairs of life proceeded much as 
usual.^^ The general attitude of the British officers was con- 
ciliatory and there was little of malicious destruction. Money 
and the essentials of life were plenty, and some occupations 
flourished to an unusual degree.^'' 

Sir William Howe had long before formed a resolution to 
resign the command of the British forces. Moved perhaps by 
the gloom which overspread the Britons after the fall of Count 
Donop at Red Bank and the spectacular destruction of the 
frigate Augusta and the sloop Merlin, he wrote as follows, upon 
the twenty-eighth of October, 1777, to the Secretary of State of 
the American Department, Lord George Germaine: 

"From the little attention, my lord, given to my recommenda- 
tions since the commencement of my command, I am led to hope 
that I may be relieved from this verv painful service, wherein I 
have not the good fortune to enjoy the necessary confidence and 
support of my superiors, but which, I conclude will be extended 
to Sir Henry Clinton, my presumptive successor. By the return 
of the packet I humbly request I may have his Majesty's per- 
mission to resign." 

It should be recorded that this peevish letter gave occasion 
for great astonishment to the home authorities which had 
diligently promoted the means for sustaining Howe and his 
army in the field. 

In Tory circles there was much of gaiety, this culminating in 
the early summer with the fete of the famous Meschianza.^' 



Howe's opera bouffe "last appearance" in Philadelphia at this 
historic fete, with its mediaeval follies and flamboyant, "Thy 
laurels are immortal," set all of Great Britain astir with sardonic 
laug'hter, followed, after his arrival home, by a stormv period of 
recrimination between the crown and its supporters upon the 
one hand and Gen. Howe and the opposition upon the other, 
the echoes of which reverberated to the beginning of another 
century. 

Thus ended the career in America of an officer who had proven 
himself, fortunately for the patriot army and cause, the most 
incompetent warrior in British history. A soldier of whom 
Stedman, the English historian of the Revolution, wrote, sixteen 
years later, "None of his military exploits possessed either plan, 
object or decision, and the only fruit derived from the several 
victories of Sir William Howe, during the campaign of 1777, 
amounted to no more than the acquisition of good winter quar- 
ters for the British army at Philadelphia." 

CHAPTER IV. 

OCCUPATION OF VALLEY FORGE 
THE CONTINENTAL ARMY 

When the patriot army moved from White Marsh the matter 
of the winter location was apparently still undetermined. A 
wide diversity of opinion existed among the general officers, 
some favoring a general assault upon the city, others proposing 
Wilmington, Lancaster and Reading.^*^ 

The first objective of the creeping army after turning its back 
upon Camp Hill was the opposite shore of the Schuylkill River. 
The advance found upon reaching Matson's Ford a force of 3000 
British awaiting them upon the opposite side. That night the 
Americans moved up to Swede's Ford and built a bridge of 
wagons over which a force was thrown and the hills occupied 
around the Gulph Mills. ^" Gulph Mills is situated about one and 
a half miles inland from the Schuylkill River and six miles from 
Valley Forge. The army's baggage was long in crossing the 
river and much confused. The majority of the soldiers slept, 
the first two or three nights, upon the snow-clad ground.-" 

The coming of the Army to Valley Forge was so unexpected 
by the neighboring residents that they were taken utterly by 
surprise.-^ Within a short time a military town of probably one 
thousand huts of logs had arisen and a large portion of the forest 




CQ 2 



Pi C 

Z 5 



t o 



23 




Photr. l,y S. R. Fisher 



Hkauijl ARii.KS, \'ali.i;\ Forge 



Office Room, Showing Part of Secret Panel in Window Seat 

had already been sacrificed in the work of building" and for fires. 
The stumps and brush were left along- the declivity in front of 
the earthworks as a defense against storming parties. Later, 
when the redoubts were dug, a series of sharply-pointed pickets 
was planted between them. The redoubts were four feet high, 
with a ditch six feet wide. 

General Washington occupied his usual army tent and shared 
the out-of-door log fires of the soldiery during the work of build- 
ing the huts"- and it was probably upon Christmas Day that he 
accepted the invitation of Isaac Potts, the miller and the min- 
ister of Friends, and moved into his snug house at the foot of 
the hill. Upon this day he found time to write up his ledger, 
making the following entry: 

"To expenditures in the difit'erent and continual movements of 
the army from Germantown Sept. 15 till we hutted at Valley 
Forge the 25th of Dec. pr. men, $1037.00 or £78.10.''-" 

Formation of the Second or Continental Army. 

At the end of the year 1777 the original patriot army ceased 
to exist. By a resolution of Congress, September 16, 1776, 
eighty-eight battalions of eight companies each were to be en- 



24 



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Page from Washington's Ledger CoNTAiNrNc Valley Forge Entry 



25 




b. R Usher 



Headquarters, Valley Forge — Hall and Stairway 



listed for three years "or the war." In these new organizations 
the greater part of the one-year men re-enhsted. These new 
regiments were styled the Continental Line and were appor- 
tioned to the several States as follows: 

New Hampshire, three regiments; Massachusetts, fifteen regi- 
ments; Rhode Island, two regiments; Connecticut, eight regi- 
ments; New York, four regiments; New Jersey, four regiments; 
Pennsylvania, twelve regiments; Delaware, one regiment; Mary- 
land, eight regiments; Virginia, fifteen regiments; North Car- 
olina, nine regiments; South Carolina, six regiments; Georgia, 
one regiment.-"' 

As far as possible the organizations of each State were formed 
into divisions or sub-divisions, and were consecutively numbered. 
Although ol^cially known l)y their numbers and States they were 
more commonly designated by the name of their respective col- 
onels. This practice is followed in the list of ofificers which sub- 
scribed to the oath at Valley Forge. 

In addition to these organizations four regiments of dragoons 
and four of artillery were established, and various bodies of 
rangers, scouts and similar independents were continued from 
the first army or recruited for the new one. The army list con- 
tains the names of two Canadian regiments. 



26 




H 



o 
oi 

J 

D 

O 

s 



27 




Headquarters, Valley Forge — Parlor 

111 the spring- of 1778 Congress authorized new regiments of 
sappers and miners. 

At the time of Washington's occupation of the Potts residence 
his military family consisted of the following persons: Robert 
H. Harrison, Secretary, Alay 16, 1776, to ^larch 25, 1782; Tench 
Tilghman, A^olunteer Secretary and A. D. C, August 8, 1776, to 
December zt,, 1783; Alexander Hamilton, A. D. C, March i, 
1777, to December 23, 1783; Richard K. Meade, A. D. C, March 
12, 1777, to December 23, 1783; Presley P. Thornton, A. D. C, 
September 6, 1777, to — ; John Laurens, A. D. C, September 
6, 1777, to August 2y, 1782; Marquis de Lafayette; Captain 
Caleb Gibbs, Commander of the Life Guard. 

In May of the following year Dr. James McHenry became 
Secretary and John Fitzgerald replaced Thornton. The names 
of Matthew Clarkson and David S. Franks appear as aides-de- 
camp upon the Valley Forge oath list. 

With the exception of Captain Gibbs and Lafayette these at- 
taches were without military rank, but later in the course of the 
war Congress issued commissions of Lieutenant-Colonel to those 
who, at the time, filled these confidential positions. 



28 




Hkauquarters, VALLE^• FoRfiE — (Jffice Room, Showing I^ntrance ro 1'kivaie Exit 

Young Laurens, the General's favorite among the staff, was 
destined to fall, after return from an important errand to France, 
upon his native Southern soil. 

Alexander Hamilton died many years afterward by the hand 
of one who was also an ofificer in this camp. 

The Marquis de Lafayette was given a Division in the spring. 

Colonel Alexander Scammel, Adjutant General, was doubtless 
considered a member of Washington's military family. It is said 
that Scanunel was the only man in the army who could make 
Washington laugh. 

CHAPTER V. 

THE COMMANDER IN-CHIEF'S LIFE GUARD 

Captain Gibbs was promoted Alajor and Henry Philip Livings- 
ton became Captain of the Life Guard in the following December. 

Captain Gibbs acted as disbursing officer for General Wash- 
ington's military household, holding this relation to the General 
from June, 1776, to the end of 1780, as shown by the General's 
accounts. -° 

The Commander-in-Chief's Guard was formed, originally, 
under an order by Washington dated at Cambridge, March 11, 



29 




1776. For this purpose four meu carefully selected from each 

reg-iment were detailed to this duty. Caleb Gibbs, of Massa- 
chusetts, became Captain, and George Lewis, of 
A^rginia, a nephew of General Washington, was 
appointed Lieutenant. The corps numbered sixtv 
men exclusive of officers.-'' 

While on duty in New York an attempt to poison 
the General was discovered, which involved several of 
the men, one of whom, an L-ishman named Hickey, 
was hanged in consequence. The guard, as reorgan- 
ized, May I, 1777, at Morristown, numbered fifty-six 
men, exclusive of officers. This body was eciuipped 
as infantry, in addition to which a small force of horse 
was maintained, of which George Lewis was Captain. 
Special details from the cavalry regiments sometimes 
performed escort duty."' 

The Southern troops, commanded 1)y General Lach- 
lin Mcintosh, of Georgia, occupied the hill to the left 
of Headquarters. General McLitosh succeeded- Gen- 
eral Francis Nash, who died from wounds received at 

the Battle of Germantown.-" This Brigade was in close touch 

with Headquarters. 



Life 



CHAPTER VI. 

A WORD PICTURE OF THE CAMP 



Probably the most effective existing word picture of the scene, 
when the camp had been established, is to be found in the memor- 
able address of that talented young Philadelphian, Henry Armitt 
Brown, Esq., delivered at the centennial celebration of the de- 
parture of the army from the camp.-^ 

"These are the huts of Huntington's Brigade, of the Con- 
necticut line; next to it those of \ Pennsvlvanians under Con- 

/A ' 

way. This is the L-ish-French- (s) 

man, soon to disappear in a 
disgracefvd intrigue. Here in 
the camp there are many who 
whisper that he is a mere ad- ^r, 
venturer, but in Congress they 1 1 ";< 

still think him a great military | ^ \ ^'' 
character. Down toward Head- ^^-k < 

quarters are the Southerners, 



"I 



^- ONQuf c} 



30 



^^^f. 



! Flag of the Life Guards 





Maj. Gen. Lord Stirling 



Brig. Gkn. Peter Muhlenberg 





Brig. Gen. William Smallwood 



{rig. Gen. Jed. Huntington 



31 




Home of David Stevens 



Headquarters of Gen. Jas. M. Varnum 



commanded by Lachlin Mcintosh, in his youth 'the handsomest 
man in Georgia.' Beyond Conway, on the hill, is Maxwell,, a 
gallant Irishman, commissioned by New Jersey. Woodford,, 
of Virginia, commands on the right of the second line, and in 
front of him the Virginian, Scott. The next brigade in order 
is of Pennsylvanians — many of them men whose homes are in 
this neighborhood — Chester County boys and Quakers from 
the Valley turned soldier for their country's sake. They are 
the children of three races: the hot Irish blood mixes with the 
cooler Dutch in their calm English veins, and some of them — 
their chief, for instance — are splendid fighters. There he is, at 
this moment riding up the hill from his quarters in the valley.. 
A man of medium height and strong frame, he sits his horse well 
and with a dashing air. His nose is prominent, his eye piercing, 
his complexion ruddy, his whole appearance that of a man of 
splendid health and flowing spirits. He is just the fellow to 
win by his headlong valor the nickname of 'The Mad.' But he 
is more than a mere fighter. Skillful, energetic, full of resources 
and presence of mind, quick to comprehend and prompt to act, 
of sound judgment and extraordinary courage he has in him the 
qualities of a great general as he shall show many a time in his 
short life of one-and-fifty years. Pennsylvania, in her quiet 
fashion, may not make as much of his fame as it deserves, but 
impartial history will allow her none the less the honor of having- 



32 




Brigadier General Anthony Wayne 



33 



given its most brilliant soldier to the Revolution in her Anthony 
Wayne. Poor, of New Hampshire, is encamped next, and then 
Glover, whose regiment of Marblehead sailors and fishermen 
manned the boats that saved the army on the night of the retreat 
from Long Island. Larned, Patterson and Weedon follow,'^^ and 
then, at the corner of the intrenchments by the river is the Vir- 
ginia Brigade of Muhlenberg. Born at the Trappe close by and 
educated abroad, Muhlenberg was a clergyman in Virginia when 
the war came on, but he has doffed his parson's gown forever for 
the butr and blue of a brigadier. His stalwart form and swarthy 
face are already as familiar to the enemy as they are to his own 
men, for the Hessians are said to have cried, 'Hier Kommt teufel 
Pete!' as they saw him lead a charge at Brandy wine. The last 
brigade is stationed on the river bank, where Varnum and his 
Rhode Islanders, in sympathy with young Laurens, of Carolina, 
are busy with a scheme to raise and enlist regiments of negro 
troops. These are the commanders of brigades.""^ 

The several Major and Brigadier Generals occupied houses 
within short distances of their respective commands. The fol- 
lowing, as far as known, were their assignments: 

CHAPTER VII. 

QUARTERS OF OFFICERS AT VALLEY FORGE IN 
SEVENTEEN SEVENTY-SEVEN AND SEVENTY-EIGHT 

NAME OK OFFICER. OWNER's NAME. 1777-/8. OWNEr's NAME, 1898. 

Gen. George Washington. Isaac Potts Valley Forge Centennial 

Association. (Original iionse.) 

Gen. Thomas Bradford. 
Commissary Officer to 
prisoners David Havard... A. J. Cassatt.^s 

(Original house.) 
Brig. Gen. Harry Lee 

and Gen Lord Stirlmg. Rev. Dr. Currie.. Llenry S. Evans. 

(Original house.) 

Marquis de Lafayette.... Sam'l Havard.... Harry Wilson. 

(Original house.) 

Brig. Gen.Wm. Woodford 
and Brig. Gen. Count 
Louis Chevalier Duportail, John Havard.... Lawrence McCormick. 



(Original house.) 



34 



I 

"If 



I f 




'^^ 'y^^J 



^^ 



Headquarters Gen. Jed. Huntington 




Headquarters Gen. Peter Muhlenberg 



35 



NAME OF OFFICER. OWNER's NAME, 1777-78. OWNEr's NAME, 1898. 

Brig. Gen. Anthony Wayne Joseph Walker... W. H. Walker. 

(Original house.) 

Brig. Gen. Enoch Poor. . . 

Count Pulaski John Beaver, tenant Francis R. Wood. 

(It is thought that this property belonged to Rev. Dr. Currie.) 

(Original house remodeled.) 

Brig. Gen. Henry Knox. . Sam'l Brown.... Estate Mr. Matthews. 

(Original house.) 

Brig. Gen. Jas. M.Varnum . David Stevens ... Estate Wm. Stevens. 

(Original house.) 

Brig. Gen. Jed. Huntington Maurice Stevens. . C. M. Todd. 

Brig. Gen. Danl. Morgan. Mordecai Moore. . F. R. Andrews. 

(A commissary was also quartered here.) (Original house.) 

Brig. Gen. Peter Muhlen- 
berg John Moore Estate Edwin Moore. 

(Original house.) 

Brig. Gen. Geo. Weedon,and 
afterward Baron DeKalb Abijah Stevens . . . Abraham Fisher. 

(Original house stood nearer the creek.) 
(Dubuyson, French nfficer, lived in a cave in present yard.) 

Maj. Gen. John Sullivan . . Thomas Waters.. Estate Mordecai Davis. 

(Original house stood nearer the creek.) 

Brig. Gen. Potter T. Waters, owner. . Estate Harvard Walker. 

Wm. Godfrey, Tenant (Original house 40 yds. 
N. W. of present one.) 

Brig. Gen. Thos. Mifflin. . . Jacob Walker. . . Estate David Abrahams. 

(Original house.) 

Maj. Gen. Nathan'l Greene Isaac Walker J. R. Walker. 

(Modern house now on or near site of original.) 

Brig. Gen. L. Mcintosh. . . Joseph Mann.... Site not positively known. 

(Colored.) 

Brig. Gen. Charles Scott. . Sam'l Jones Abram Latch. 

(Original house.) 

Provost Guard Isaac Matson 

(Now part of the property of C. M. Todd, near Port Kennedy.) 



36 





Brig. Gen. Henry Knox 



Brig. Gen. Daniel Morgan 





3rig. Gen. Lachlan McIntosh 



3rig. Gkn. Chas. Scott 



Z7 



Inspector General Baron Steuben and Brigadier Generals 
Conway, Smallwood, Armstrong, Furman and McDougall were 
quartered in large huts on the Maurice Stevens property, just 
north of the field in which lies the grave of John Waterman. 

As a rule, it is said, the officers who thus became, with their 
staffs, enforced members of the country families proved agree- 
able and considerate guests. 

It is known that long after the close of the Valley Forge en- 
campment letters of a most friendly character were exchanged 
by some of the Generals and the Valley Forge families.'^* 

CHAPTER VIII. 

ROUTINE OF THE CAMP 

While the army was pushing the work of housing itself, the 
engineer corps was planning the earthworks which were to pro- 
tect them. These defenses were doubtless worked slowly out 
of the frozen ground by details from the several brigades, and 
were not completed until spring. 

Upon March 27 following, the Commander-in-Chief refers to 
the unfinished condition of the "Interior Defenses," and again 
upon April 3 he complains of the poor work done upon the "new 
line defenses.""^ 




Hume oi Joseph Wai-K1-:r 



Headquarters of Gen. Anthony Wayne 



38 




^ft>t 






./% ' 




3rig. Gen. Count Louis L. Duportail. 
Engineer of the Defenses. 



39 



Lieutenant General Sir William Howe,"'' in his defense of his 
conduct of the campaign in America, supplies indirect but decisive 
testimony regarding the wisdom of the selection of the Valley 
Forge heights for the American Army's hibernation and also the 
deterrent effect of the toilsome entrenchments created there, he 
says: 

'"I did not attack the entrenched position at Valley Forge, a 
strong point, during the severe season, although everything was 
prepared with that intention, judging it imprudent until the sea- 
son should afford a prospect of reaping the advantages that 
ought to have resulted in success in that measure; but having 
good information in the spring that the enemy had strengthened 
his camp by additional works and being certain of moving him 
from thence when the campaign should open, I dropped all 
thoughts of attack.""' 

The structures which sheltered the army were built of logs 
and were fourteen by sixteen feet in dimensions. Wooden 
chimneys, lined with clay, were built against the rear sides. 
Twelve soldiers were housed in each hut.''* 

A quaint description of the scene during those early winter 
days at Valley Forge is that found in a letter written by Thomas 
Paine to Benjamin Franklin, who was in Paris. •■'^ 

Washington offered a reward of twelve dollars 
in each regiment to the party doing the best 
and quickest work in building. 

It is not to be supposed that having completed 
their log encampment, the army lapsed into idle- 
ness ; upon the contrary, there was much for the 
able-bodied to do in cutting wood for the fires, 
foraging for supplies (these scarce and already 
difficult to find), and, upon the part of the cav- 
alry, a constant scouring of the country toward 
the city, with countless brushes with the out- 
posts of the enemy. Drilling and the regulation 
routine was carried on daily. 

The Christmas holidays in this camp were 
anything but festive. Upon Christmas morn- 
mg twelve men from each brigade were as- 
sembled upon the parade with ammunition and 
rations, who were dispatched with wagons to 



40 




An Officer of Dragoons 




Headijuarters Maj. C.i:n. Lord Stirling 




Headquarters Maj. Gen. Marquis de Lafayette 



41 



bring in supplies of flour, grain, cattle and pork/'' Unfortu- 
nately, shoals of loose soldiery had marauded the country ahead 
of them, abusing and robbing Tory and patriot ahke. This 
license Washington took measures to stop." 

Just before the New Year a party of American soldiers at 
Wilmington captured a ship in the Delaware River coming from 
New York, which proved to contain much that was valuable to 
the patriot army, especially in clothing for officers.*'- 

It would be interesting to trace the final disposition of these 
goods and discover what proportion the regimental ofBcers 
finally got and to what extent the jobbing gentlemen around 
Congress, at York, were profited by the capture. 

At the end of the year many of the soldiers were 
still living in tents, but as fast as the huts were 
ready the tents were delivered to the Quarter- 
masters to be cleaned and stored for use in the 
next campaign. 

The scarcity of side arms for the officers led to 
the order that those not having swords should 
cease carrying guns, which tended to distract their 
attention from their men, and to obtain half-pikes. 
These pikes, or Aspontons, were "to be six and a 
half feet in length, one and a half inch thick in 
the largest part, the iron part to be one foot long." 

There is evidence that some regiments fared 
much better than others and that the Pennsyl- 
vanians, especially many of the officers, were far 
from being destitute.^^ 

Between December 22d and January 28th Washington wrote 
five appeals to Congress for help. The last of this series of let- 
ters was a lengthy statement written for the use of a Congres- 
sional Committee then visiting the camp. This Committee was 
composed of Francis Dana, Joseph Reed, Nathaniel Folsoni, 
John Harvie, Charles Carroll and Gouverneur Morris. The 
Committee remained here nearly three months, occupying a 
house two miles west from the camp, known as "Moore Hall,"' 
which is still existent. 



Lieutenant 
with asponton 




42 



CHAPTER IX. 

THE CRY OF DISTRESS 

Whatever may have been the disposition of its individual mem- 
bers to afford effective rehef to the suffering soldiers, Congress 
had not the initiative power to do more than make representa- 
tions to the States in behalf of their respective brigades. As a 
matter of fact, the body at York was but the shadow of a gov- 
ernment. Among the unwise measures to which its delibera- 
tions had given birth, that which detached the Commissary De- 
partment from the control of the commanding General was prob- 
ably one of the most mischievous. The baleful mark of petty 
jobbery seems to stamp this procedure and the effect was seen 
in confusion and waste w-hich were largely responsible for the 
misery of the Valley Forge winter. Fiske, the historian, cites 
testimony which alleges that hogsheads of shoes, stockings, hats 
and general clothing were left in the woods or by the roadside to 
waste because of a want of money and teams to get them into 
camp. So constant was the fear of Congress that the army 
would get beyond civil control that John Adams proposed the 
annual election of generals in lieu of the issue of commissions. 
The spectre of Valley Forge did not weigh heavily upon the 
minds of the statesmen at York. It was a gay winter in this 
temporary capital of the new nation.^'* 

A member of the Congressional Commission reported with 
regard to the scenes in the camp, that "the men patiently yoke 
themselves together in little carriages of their own making, using 
grapevines for ropes, or load their wood and provisions upon 
their backs." They seemed to the foreign officers to be devoid 
of all enthusiasm.'*'' 

Outposts and patrols were established across the country as 
far as Barren Hill, which is but ten miles from the centre of Phila- 
delphia. 

Under the direction of General Sullivan a log bridge was con- 
structed across the Schuylkill River at a point one mile below 
the mouth of the valley stream, its position now being marked 
by a marble stone inscribed with a record of the bloody foot- 
prints left by the shoeless soldiers who marched upon duty 
here.^'^ 

Long before the date of its migration from Camp Hill to Val- 
ley Forge the commands w'cre very generally destitute of proper 
clothing, the uniforms and blankets^' being worn out with use. 
The resources of the country were inadequate to the prol^lem^ 

43 




Home of Samuel Brown 



Headqx'arters of Gen. HENR^• Knox 



and as winter advanced the soldiers by hundreds covered their 
semi-nakedness and misery within their huts. In midwinter two 
thousand men were without shoes, sentries stood guard with 
feet in their hats.'*^ 

Before many weeks had passed a large proportion of the army 
had succumbed to cold and hunger combined, and those of the 
sufferers who had not perished were distributed in temporary 
hospitals through the country to the north and west.*" 

Upon February ist, 3989 men were unfit for duty for want 
of clothes. Lieutenant John Marshall, afterward Chief Justice, 
wrote: "Although the total of the army exceeds 17,000 men, the 
present rank and file amounts to only 5012." 

On February 12 General Varnum wrote to General Greene 
that "in all human probability the army must dissolve. Many of 
the troops are destitute of meat and are several days in arrears. 
The horses are dying for want of forage. The country in vicinity 
of the camp is exhausted." 

On the 1 6th of February Washington wrote to Governor Clin- 
ton: 

"For some days past there has been little less than a famine 
in camp. A part of the army has been a week without any kind 
of flesh, and the rest three or four days. Naked and starved as 



44 




Major Gen. Nathaniel Greene 



45 




HoMK OH Abijah StEVIiNS 



Headquarters of Baron de Kalb 



they are, we cannot enough admire the incomparable patience 
and fidelity of the soldiery that they have not been, ere this, ex- 
cited by their sufferings to general mutiny and desertion. "'" 

Upon the next day John Laurens wrote: 

"The unfortunate soldiers were in want of everything; they 
had neither coats, hats, shirts nor shoes ;""'^ their feet and legs 
froze till they became black, and it was often necessary to 
amputate them. From want of money they could neither obtain 
provisions nor any means of transport."^- 

One month after arrival at Valley Forge, Washington issued 
a proclamation recjuiring all farmers within seventy miles from 
his quarters to thresh one-half of all their grain before the first 
of March, in order to make sure of a supply of both grain and 
straw. Many details of soldiers were sent out to do the 
threshing.^^ 

Mrs. Washington arrived at Valley Forge upon February lo. 
She records the fact that the General's apartment is small and 
that he has had l)uilt a log structure in which to take their 
meals."* 

At the beginning of February, 1778, 4000 men were excused 
from duty, being naked and unable to leave the huts. At the end 
of the month only 5000 effectives were found in the camp. Food 



46 





Maj. Gen. Arthi'r St. Clair 



Lieut. Col. Alexander Hamilton 





Brig. Gen. Enoch Poor 



Brio. Gen. George Weedon 



47 



supplies continued to be gathered from the unwilling farmers by 
force payment being made in certificates, for the redemption of 
which Congress had made no provisions, whereas those who suc- 
ceeded in getting their grain and other foods to the British Com- 
missaries were paid a good price in gold."^ 

In February a systematic market scheme was inaugurated, by 
which the Quartermasters were able to meet the farmers at 
designated places and buy such meagre supplies as they were 
able to bring.^*^ 

The constant anxiety with which historians doubtless properly 
credit the Commander-in-Chief does not find expression in his 
routine orders. Upon the contrary, his proclamations were 
usually optimistic beyond those of any of his Generals. 

Matters in camp were decidedly bad at the beginning of 
March, but Washington issued the following as a tonic to the 
Army : 

"Weedon Orderly Book, March ist, 1778. 

"Thank Heaven our Country abounds with ])rovisions and 
with prudent management we need not apprehend want for any 
length of time. Defects in the Commissaries Department, Con- 
tingencies of Weather and other Temporary Empedements have 
subjected and may again subject us to deficiency for a few days. 
But Soldiers, American Soldiers, will despise the meanness of 
Repining at such trifling strockes of Adversity, Trifling indeed 
when compared with the Transcendent prize which will undoubt- 
edly crown their patience and perseverence.'" 

That the commanders of the opposing armies were constantly 
informed of all that took place in the rival camps to a degree not 
possible in modern armies seems certain. Washington was 
especially annoyed with the intercourse between the members 
of the sect of "Friends." 

Upon March 20th, Washington wrote to General Lacey: 

"Sunday next being the time on which the Quakers hold one 
of their general meetings, a number of that society will probably 
be attempting to go into Philadelphia. This is an intercourse 
that we should by all means endeavor to interrupt, as the plans 
settled at these meetings are of the most pernicious tendency. I 
would therefore have you dispose of your parties in such a 
manner as will most probably fall in with these people."^'^ 

At this time patriotism was at a low ebb throughout the 
country, and the belief grew that it was only a question of time 
when the little army must dissolve and all who had taken part 
in the Revolutionary movement suffer punishment at the hands 
of the victorious British. ^^ 



CHAPTER X. 

THE CONWAY CABAL 



In his own camp, for a considerable time, unknown to Wash- 
ington, a conspiracy, which history has designated as the "Con- 
way Cabal," was fomented for the purpose of displacing the Gen- 
eral in command with Gates, the captor of Burgoyne. In this 
cabal were General Conway, "° an Irish "soldier of fortune," to- 
gether with Mifflin, Wilkinson, James Lovell, Samuel Adams and 
Richard Henry Lee, each of whom had some personal grudge 
against Washington. The conspiracy was well entrenched be- 
hind Congress, Gates being president of the Board of War, of 
which Mifflin, the Quartermaster General, was a member. James 
Lovell, Delegate from Massachusetts, who had rebuffed Lafay- 
ette the year before, was also, it is said, interested in the move- 
ment. General Gates gained much credit at Saratoga for deeds 
actually done by Morgan and Arnold. -•'' He had withheld his army 
from giving desired assistance to W^ashington, and generally em- 
phasized his dislike of the commanding General. It was with 
difficulty that Washington secured the return of Morgan's Rifle 
Corps and Glover's brigade, w'hich he had loaned to the North- 
ern army to assist in opposing Burgoyne. The movement 
failed, as it deserved to do, and the Father of his country con- 
tinued to hold the love and admiration of his ragged and faithful 
army.'^^ It was due to the discovery of this treachery that the 
famous Valley Forge oath was administered to 
all of^cers. This oath was taken by about eleven 
hundred officers, of whom all except about one 
hundred were at Valley Forge. The list, which 
may be seen at the rooms of the Historical 
Society, is a key to all officers wdio were at 
Valley Forge at that time. 

CHAPTER XI. 

THE OATH OF ALLEGIANCE 

"I do acknowledge the United States of 
America to be free, independent and sovereign 
States and declare that the people thereof owe 



49 




'"^ 




do -dcfenowledge the UNITED STATES of AME- 
RICA, to be Free, Independent and Sovereign States, and 
declare that the people thereof owe no allegiance or obedi- 
ence to George the Third, King of Great-Britain; and I re- 
Roance, refufe^nd abjure any allegiance or obedience to him ; 
and I do ^M'^^^y^ ■ — ■ that I will to the utmoft of 
iny power, fupportj, maintain and defend the faid United 
Smes, againft the faid King George the Third, hb heirs and 
ftt«:eibrs and- his and their abettors, affiftants and adherents, 
and will ferve the faid United States in the office of - /U^*-erv 
^^-^t^^^y^^ --- — ~'^' which I now hold with fidelity, 
^according to the beii of my ii.;;l and underftanding. 



Oath of Allegiance, Signed by Gen. Arthur St. Clair 

(Original in possession of Mr. David K, Boyd, St. Davids, Pa.) 

no allegiance or obedience to George the 3d, King of Great 
Britain, and I renounce, repulse, refuse and abjure any allegiance 
or obedience to him, and do swear or affirm that I will to utmost 
of my power support, sustain and defend the said United "States 
against the said George 3d and his heirs and successors and his 
other abettors, assistants and adherents, and will serve the said 

United States in the office of wdiich I now hold, with fidelity 

and according to the best of my ability and understanding." 

This oath was administered under the direction of General 
Wayne. 

During the winter large numbers of prisoners were gathered 
at the camp and frequent flags of truce went to Philadelphia, to 
obtain such supplies for them as the enemy might choose to send 
them. 

Washington's marked preference for the foreign offtcers cer- 
tainly bred heart-burnings among his native brigadiers and, in 
fact, with the officers generally."- Many of the Frenchmen as- 
sumed airs of superiority over their American comrades of equal 
rank. They also underrated the silent, stern determination of 
the Americans to achieve independence. Washington's attitude 
of diplomatic good-will toward the Frenchmen was, how^ever, 
to finally justify his patience and good sense. 



50 



J ^ .,..*■..,,». .^cA&AA..g;j*««.«^ 







\ ) i 




^^'i 







52 



CHAPTER XII. 

THE COMING OF BARON STEUBEN 

When matters were at their worst, there came to Washington, 
with an offer of his services and sword, a veteran General of 
Prussia, Frederick WiUiam Von Steuben. This officer was made 
Inspector General, a place previously filled by the impotent 
Conway.*^^ 

General Steuben was the son of an officer in the German army. 
He had served upon the staff of Frederick the Great, had been 
grand marshal of the Prince Hohen-Zollern-Hechingen, and was 
a traveler of distinction. At Paris he had met Franklin and 
Beaumarchais, and thus became interested in the American 
cause. He had traveled from 
Boston to York. Pa., in sleighs in 
company with his military secre- 
tary, going thence to Valley Forge. 

This was the beginning of sal- 
vation. Within a few days Wash- 
ington had found the work for the 
old disciplinarian. He was an- 
nounced to the army as its new 
drill master. 

Baron Steuben is said to have 
been astounded by the condition 
of the army as he found it. His 
French cook, whom he had brought 
across the seas, abandoned his job 
in disgust and fled to the father- 
land.*'* 

Benj, Franklin 
In addition to the universal epi- ^lilef Commissioner to France 

demic of colds, small-pox ravaged the camp, and the men, borne 
down by the awful weight of their sufferings, could hardly be 
dragged to their daily work. Deserters and spies were executed 
as an example, and the generals were busy with threats and 
entreaties. ^^ 

The great men who had less than a brief year and a half before 
so resolutely affixed their signatures to the defiant Declaration 
of Independence, were now largely replaced in Congress bv those 
of smaller calibre and less exalted ideals. Regarding them, Liv- 
ingston wrote in this severe strain: "I am so discouraged by our 
public mismanagement, and the additional load of business 
thrown upon me by the villany of those who pursue nothing but 
accumulating fortunes to the ruin of their country that I almost 
sink under it." 

53 





Clearly, Congress was afraid of Washington and 
the shadow of his dominant figure in the field. It 
was urged by some that there should be thirteen 
armies, each to be responsible to and look out for 
its own State. 

Both in the civil service and the army there were 
many who at this time, impressed by the seeming 
invincibility of the enemy, were chiefly occupied with 
the question of their personal safety and the pro- 
tection of their property when the national project 
came to its impending end. In one of his letters to 
Congress from Valley Forge Washington called atten- 
tion to the fact that within a half year not less than 
three hundred officers had resigned and gone home.*^" These 
men were, doubtless, largely influenced in their action by the 
manifest inability of Congress to extend that efficient support 
to the army necessary to its existence. There were men hold- 
ing high commissions in the service who engaged in private 
negotiations with the Peace Commission which, coming from 
the King, expended several ineffectual months in their efforts 
to undermine the army and purchase the representatives of the 
people."^ 

Notwithstanding the suffering, there was much boisterous 
fim in the camps, for the American soldier must laugh some- 
times, and there seems to have been the then popular rage for 
the lottery, which was then a government institution."^ 

Immediately after Steuben began his task he formed one picked 
company, as already stated,''^ and drilled them as a model for the 
others, laboring under the great disadvantage of a lack of Eng- 
lish words, but the soldiers cheered his savage German oaths, 
and he soon became popular with the whole rank and file. By 
consent of Congress and General Washington he introduced a 
modified form of Prussian tactics, and before the end of the 
period in camp he had created an army of disciplined soldiers 
and schooled officers fit to command them.'*' 

The order-loving spirit of Steuben began also to be reflected 
in the proclamations made from headquarters and by the Brigade 
Commanders. There was an effective policing of the Camps. 
The deaths among the common soldiers were so constant that 
there was little pretense of ceremony, and it may have been to 
modify the contrast presented by the pageantry of the funerals of 
officers with those of the rank and file that Washington issued 
an order upon this subject. '^^ 



54 




Major Gen. Frederick William von Steuben 



55 



Washington continued to anticipate, day by day, definite news 
of a favorable nature from France. Anticipating possible delay 
or failure in this quarter, Washington had already been author- 
ized by Congress to requisition Pennsylvania, Maryland and 
Virginia for 5000 militia. 

CHAPTER XIII. 

LEE'S RETURN FROM CAPTIVITY 

The welcome accorded to General Charles Lee upon his return 
to the Army by exchange, April 21st, was most spectacular and 
flattering to him. The Conmiander in Chief made him his per- 
sonal guest and entertained him at a splendid dinner. He at 
once gave him the command of the right wing of the Army. Lee's 
subsequent conduct proved him unworthy of the plaudits of his 
fellow soldiers or of the confidence of Washington. '- 

By his orders April 22d was observed in the Valley Forge 
Camps as "a day of fasting humiliation and prayer." 

The answer of Divine Providence was already upon the seas, 
and borne by hard-riding couriers from sea coast to the inland 
hills it came to the knowledge of Washington upon May day. 
One week later he issued the following general order: 

CHAPTER XIV. 

THE FRENCH ALLIANCE 

"It having pleased the Almighty Ruler of the universe to 
defend the course of the United States, and finall\- raise up a 
powerful friend among the princes of the earth, to establish 
our Liberty and Lidependence upon a lasting foundation, it be- 
comes us to set apart a day for gratefully acknowledging the 
Divine goodness, and celebrating the important event which 
we owe to His Divine interposition. The several brigades 
are to assemble for this purpose at nine o'clock to-morrow 
morning, when their chaplains will communicate the informa- 
tion contained in the postscript of the Pennsylvania Gazette 
of the 2d instant, and offer up a thanksgiving and deliver a dis- 
course suitable to the event. At half-past ten o'clock a can- 
non will be fired which is to be a signal for the men to 
be under arms. The Brigade Inspectors will then inspect their 
dress and arms, and form the battalions according to the in- 
structions given them, and announce to the commanding officers 
of the brigade that the battalions are formed. The com- 

56 






Inspector General Baron Steuben at Valley Forge 



57 



manders of brigades will then appoint the field officers to the 
battalions, after which each battalion will be ordered to load 
and ground their arms. At half-past seven o'clock a second 
cannon will be fired as a signal for the march; upon which the 
several brigades will begin their march by wheeling to the 
right by platoons, and proceed by the nearest way to the left 
of their ground l)y the new position. This will be pointed out 
by the Brigade Inspectors. A third signal will then be given, on 
which there will be a discharge of thirteen cannon ; after which 
a running fire of the infantry will begin on the left of the sec- 
ond line and continue to the right. Upon a signal given, the 
whole army will huzza. 'Long Live the King of France.- The 

artillery then begins again and 
fires thirteen rounds; this will be 
succeeded by a second general 
discharge of musketry, in a run- 
ning fire, and a huzza, 'Long Live 
the Friendly European Poivers.^ The 
last discharge of thirteen pieces of 
artillery will be given, followed by 
a general running fire and huzza, 
'The Ameriean Statesy 

The Commander - in - Chief and 
staff were the guests of the Jersey 
troops during the religious services 
of the day,'''' after which the gen- 
eral officers of the command joined 
him at the Potts mansion, whereat 
vvas served one of those famous 
dinners for which Washington 
always manifested a fondness. 
The length and breadth of Washington's exuberance upon the 
arrival of the good news cannot be more effectively shown than 
in the fact that two soldiers awaiting execution in the camp 
were pardoned and restored to the ranks by him in testimony 
of his joy. When we consider how rarely the Commander-in- 
Chief modified or reversed the finding of his courts martial and 
and how vainly at Newburgh it was sought to save Andre, we 
may realize the meaning of this gift of life to men who, perhaps, 
did not deserve it. 

Official confirmation of the great fact that Benjamin 
Franklin and his associate Commissioners had succeeded in 




LlELT l()ll\ 1 kl Mi:Ul L 

Soldier and Artist 



58 






Headquarters of Maj. Gen Thomas Miffi.tn 





Ijjnii! ^^^ 



HEADQLAklkks CrK,. Gen. LuUiS L. Dll'(jRIAIL 



59 



their mission to the French Court had arrived upon April 13th, 
when the French frigate La Sensible sailed into Falmouth (now 
Portland) Harbor, bringing, as bearer of dispatches, Simeon 
Deane, brother of Commissioner Silas Deane. The news reached 
Congress at York upon May 2d. 

One of the most difficult problems in the administration of 
this far scattered camp was that of the control of liquor. Most 
of the courts martial had their origin in quarrels caused by 
drunkenness. The sutlers were held accountable, and all tav- 
erns, except a few under special license, within a wide territory 
around the camp, were prohibited from selling anything drink- 
able. Occasionally, as upon January i, 1778, the Commander- 
in-Chief ordered grog for the whole army. Prices for liquor 
sold in the camp were determined by Boards of Ofhcers. 

Spring found the camps still destitute of blankets and cloth- 
ing, those best provided having come hither from the North- 
ern Army. There were sick in every hut, and a good bedding 
of straw was the best that most of the men could hope for. As 
the season advanced the nuid was removed from between the 
logs to afford ventilation, and details were paraded for loathing 
in Valley Stream and the river. One week before the camp was 
abandoned a portion of the army resumed its tents. 

The men were drilled hard and often under the watchful 
eye of Steuben. 

It is said of the old martinet that he was up at 3 o'clock, 
took a smoke, had his coffee and, before daylight, was about 
the camp watching the process of starting the day's routine 
according to every proper formality, and shortcomings were 
not tolerated in either officer or man. 

Washington's spies warned him soon after the announce- 
ment of the French Alliance that there were evidences of activi- 
ties upon the part of the enemy in the city. 

Upon May 8th at a council of war held at Valley Forge the 
Commander-in-Chief stated that upon that date the Conti- 
nental force numbered 15,000, not including horse and artil- 
lery, and that of this number 11,800 were at Valley Forge, the 
remainder beine at Wilmineton and on the North River. 



60 




6i 



CHAPTER XV. 

THE MARQUIS DE LAFAYETTE 

Eight days after the Alliance celebration the General issued 
an order, which began the active campaign of the year 1778. 
Major General Lafayette, a youth of but twenty years, was 
placed in conniiand of a picked force of 2500 men, infantry, 
artillery and horse, to proceed in the direction of Philadelphia 
and observe the enemy. 

This young French nobleman had proven the sincerity of 
his admiration of America and advocacy of the struggle, by 
leaving behind him his young wife, a daughter of the Duke 
de Noailles, and coming to America at the head of a party of 
other foreigners, including Baron de Kalb and eleven other 
French, German and Polish ofificers. The leaky ship in which 
they ventured narrowly escaped wreck upon the South 
Carolina Coast.'* 

After a long journey through the Southern forests to Phila- 
delphia, Lafayette and his associates were met with a cold re- 
buff from a consequential chairman of the Committee of 
Congress on Foreign Affairs (Lovell). Lafayette appealed 
directly to Washington, and upon July 31, 1777, he was ap- 
pointed by Congress a Major General. Like Washington, he 
served without pay. 

Lafayette, while acting upon Washington's staff, was wounded 
at Brandywine. Later in the year at White Marsh he was 
given a command of a division whose Commander, General 
Adam Stephen, had been dismissed from the Army. 

It must have been inspiring to those who witnessed the "for- 
ward march" of the resolute column, which the dashing boy 
commander led down from the hills of Valley Forge. Barren 
Hill was reached upon the i8th of May. 

This expedition narrowly escaped capture upon the morning 
of the 20th, by a large force of British which approached from 
two directions. Lafayette succeeded, by almost a miracle, in re- 
gaining the west shore of the Schuylkill River, the army at 
Valley Forge pouring down tumultuously to help him. 

The column of 5000 men under General Grant having marched 
all night from Philadelphia, had gained the rear of Lafayette's 
camp undiscovered at daybreak. When first observed they were 
ranged along the Matson's Ford road, the head of the colunm at 
the junction with the Ridge Road. The distance from this point 
to the ford is two miles. It is an equal distance southward to 

62 




Maj. Gen. Paul J. G. de M. Lafayette 



63 



Barren Hill. A body of light cavalry discovered the Americans 
hastening in disorder across the fields and through the woods to- 
ward the ford, which was by this rough "short cut" three miles 
from Barren Hill. The British commander had only to advance 
his force down the hill in the direct course of his march to cer- 
tainly intercept and capture the laying Americans, but once more 
Fate intervened to assist the cause of Freedom in the person of 
a thick-headed British general, who insisted upon guiding his 
sleepv and tired soldiers down the Ridge Road toward the 
Church at Barren Hill. 

Probably upon no event during the course of the war did the 
future history of America depend more truly than upon the 
decision made, that summer morning, at Harmonville cross- 
roads, and seldom in the history of warfare has a commander 
been blessed w^ith such unhoped for "good luck" as attended 
Lafayette that same morning. 

Lieutenant John Marshall wrote from Valley Forge of the 
hard ride of Washington and a large party of officers to a 
point commanding a view, several miles distant, of the retreat 
of Lafayette's column at sunrise. Elijah Fisher, private of the 
Life Guards, reports that Lafayette returned to Barren Hill 
the next day, but did not remain there. '^^ 

Lieutenant Colonel Simcoe, in command of the Queen's 
Rangers, led the column of General Grant which was sent out 
from Philadelphia to cut off the troops of Lafayette, and explains 
the failure to do so to a halt made due to an uncertainty regard- 
ing the proper road. 

Among the soldiery sent to the Valley Forge Camp from the 
Northern Army were a considerable party of Oneida Lidians. 
These men were employed largely as scouts. '^'^ The Oneidas 
were the only "Nation" of the famed Iroquois Confederation 
which took sides with the Colonists, the Five "Nations" to the 
westward, in New York State, having been under the influence 
of Butler and other Tories, declared for the British. 

In the ceaseless attrition of outposts and raiding parties these 
aborigines were doubtless the objects of much wholesome dread 
upon the part of the predatory enemy. 

General Greene had been appointed Quarter Master General 
in March, much to the advantage of the service. 

With the preparations for the summer large quantities of 
new equipment were received and distributed. The army still 
remained a picturesque thing of patches, but there was an end 
to inefficiency in the commissary service. 

64 



CHAPTER XVI 

DEPARTURE OF THE ARMY FROM VALLEY FORGE 



The departure of the army from V^alley Forge began upon 
June i8th, immediately upon the receipt of news brought by 
George Roberts that Clinton's forces were leaving Philadelphia, 
18,000 strong."' Maxwell's brigade was rushed across the 
country into Xew Jersey to burn bridges ahead of the slow 
moving column of the enemy, hampered as it was with many 
miles of wagons containing all kinds of plunder and a large 
number of Tory followers. The army left Vallev Forge with 
such haste that half-baked bread was left in the ovens and 
the country people found many forgotten implements in the 

huts. 

On the 2 1 St the main army 
crossed the Delaware River at 
Coryell's Ferry, and a week later 
came upon the flanks of the enemy. 
Then was fought the Battle of 
Monmouth. 

We may well imagine the fierce 
joy with which the Americans, now 
for the first time the pursuers, and 
with the memories of Paoli and 
the sufferings of Valley Forge 
fresh within them, threw them- 
selves upon the great red serpent 
of the enemy now crawling pain- 
fully across the hot sands of New 
Jersey toward the sea and safety. 
It is said that about three thousand Tories left Philadelphia 
upon the British fleet. '^ Clinton's column was heavily impeded 
by not only baggage, but l)y the Tory families and their pos- 
sessions. Extending along the Jersey roads for many miles 
it offered an easy mark for the Continentals. General Charles 
Lee, whose strange behavior at Monmouth brought upon him 
the wrath of Washington and deprived the patriots of a decisive 
victory, was proven nearly eighty years after the event to have 
been a traitor and a tool of the enemy. '^ 




Brig. Gen. J.-\mes M. Varkum 



65 



The number of structures erect- 

,• ed by the army at Valley Forge 

'' ^ ' must have been fully one thousand. 

A-Iany of these were used by the 

country people for firewood in the 

course of years, but many others 

stood until they crumbled to the 

earth in decay. Some, it is said, 

were occupied as homes by the 

country people. There are some 

excavations upon the field which 

Brig. Gen. John Glover were burrowed Under the huts, 

but the evidence of structures has long since disappeared. 



CHAPTER XVII. 

SOME WHO SERVED AT VALLEY FORGE 

■ Many men served at Valley Forge who afterwards became 
leaders of the nation. Alexander Hamilton was aide to Wash- 
ineton. Aaron Burr, then twenty-two vears old, was Lieu- 
tenant Colonel of a regiment (Malcolm's) in Varnum's Brigade. *° 
Colonel Trumbull, aide to Washington, became, afterward, a 
great historical painter. John Marshall, in the infantry, lived 
to become Chief Justice. 

James Madison is said to have also been a private in the 
infantry. 

James Monroe was upon the stafY of General Lord Stirling.^^ 
Charles Wilson Peale, Captain of a Philadelphia company in 
the camp, painted Washington's portrait while there. 



CHAPTER XVIII. 

VALLEY FORGE IN AFTER YEARS 

The army turned its back upon a ruined region, fences, forests, 
farm animals, domestic utensils, all had disappeared. Li payment 
for their suppUes and toil the residents held only wads of dirty 



66 




HKADQUARrtiRS BkK... liEN. ThOS. BrAUFOKI> 




Hp:adquarters Brig. Gen. Daniel Morgan 



67 



Continental script, which was afterward repudiated by the gov- 
ernment without a shadow of justice. Where the blare of the 
trumpet or the roll of the funeral drums had echoed, where 
fires had glowed along the hills at night, silence and desola- 
tion reigned.®^ It was only after a generation that the people 
roundabout fully recovered from the iron heel of war. 

In course of time a new forge was built in the valley further 
down the stream, and again Mount Misery and Mount Joy 
echoed the cheerful sounds of iron-working, but in 1790 Colonel 
Dewees failed. 

In one of the several old army buildings left beside the 
stream John and Isaac Potts started a slitting mill. In 1814 
the property was bought by John Rogers and Joshua Malin. 
In 1820 a three-story stone mill was built, where saws were made 
by James Wood. Later, an English gunsmith made muskets 
here to the number of 20,000. Two additional floors were added. 
The building became a cotton factory in 1830 and was used 
during the civil war in making army cloth. 

About 1794 the Headquarters Mansion was sold by Isaac Potts 
to Jacob Paul of Germantown, whose family lived there until 
1826. It was then bought by a co-operative community from 
Scotland, upon the failure of which James Jones, one of its 
members, accpired it and occupied the place until 1850 or 
later. (Woodman's History of Valley Forge.) 

Washington visited the old camp ground in 1787,^" and it is 
stated by Woodman in his history that in the summer of 1796 
he again came, one day, accompanied only by a negro servant 
and walked over the hills of Valley Forge, conversing with per- 
sons he met, one of whom was the historian's father. Doubtless 
many others of those who dwelt here in the winter of our darkest 
days as a young nation, also revisited the spot with emotions of 
both sadness and triumph as long as veterans of the Revolution 
continued to live, but in course of time a busy nation all but 
forgot Valley Forge and its heroic story, until now, in these days 
of prosperity, it is being set in order by those who cherish our 
history, that its sacred acres may be forever a beautiful memorial 
of human suffering, endurance and triumph. 



68 



CHAPTER XIX 

THE TRIBUTE OF A BRITISH OFFICER 

Eleven years after the close of the war, Stednian, the English 
historian of the struggle, himself a soldier under Howe, Clinton 
and Cornwallis, had the courage to conclude his two volumes 
(quoted upon other pages of this book) with the following im- 
partial summary. 

"While the natural strength and spirit of Great Britain were 
embarrassed and encumbered with the disadvantages and errors 
now enumerated, the Americans, in spite of a thousand diffi- 
culties and wants, by the energy of liberty, the contrivance of 
necessity, and the great advantages arising from the possession 
of the country, ultimately attained their object. The xA.mericans 
indeed were not fired with that enthusiastic ardour which nations 
of a warmer temperament, in all ages, have been wont to display 
in the cause of freedom. But they were guided by wise councils, 
thev were steady and persevering, and, on all great occasions, 
not a little animated by the courage of General Washington, 
who has been proverbally called a Fabius, but in whose character 
courage, in fact was a feature still more predominant than pru- 
dence. The American generals, having the bulk of the people 
on their side, were made acquainted with every movement of the 
British army and enabled, for the most part, to penetrate their 
designs: To obtain intelligence, on which so much depends, was 
to the British commanders a matter of proportionable difificulty. 
The Americans had neither money nor credit: But they learned 
to stand in need only of a few things; to be contented with the 
small allowance that nature requires: to suffer as well as to act. 
Their councils, animated by liberty, under the most distressing 
circumstances, took a grand and high-spirited course, and they 
were finally triumphant.®* 

"The Revolution in America, though predicted by philosophy, 
was generally considered as a remote contingency, if not a thing 
wholly ideal and visionary. Its immediate causes were alto- 
gether unforeseen and improbable. It came as a surprise upon 
the world: and men were obliged to conclude, either that the 
force of Great Britain was ill-directed, or that no invading army, 
in the present enlightened period, can be successful where the 
people are tolerably united." 




70 



EXPLANATORY NOTES 



7t 




December 19, 1777 

TO 

June 18, 1778 




72 



EXPLANATORY NOTES 



I.— The British at Valley Forge 

Sept i8 1777 

A man sent out discovered upwards of 3800 Barrels of Flour, Soap and 
Candles, 25 Barrels of Horse Shoes, several thousands of tomahawks 
and Kettles, and Intrenching Tools and 20 Hogsheads of Resin in a 
Barn 3 miles from here at the Valley Forge. 

Sept. 20th 1777. Weather extremely fine. At 2 o'clock in the morning 
the guards moved and posted themselves with the Light Infantry at the 
Valley Forge. Waggons employed in carrying of¥ from the magazine 
there the rebel stores. This morning at 5 the rebel centries fired on the 
guards who took the whole. They slightly wounded one of our officers. 
— Journal of Capt. John Montressor, Chief Engineer British Army. 

(This was the night of the Paoli massacre.) 

Upon September 21st, 1777, 14,000 British troops were camped along 
the road from Fountain Inn to the Fatland ford. The soldiers plundered 
all the houses and barns in the vicinity. 

Sept. 2ist 1777 

At 5 this morning the Army moved, marched to the Valley Forge and 
2 miles more to Moor Hall making 5 miles and there camped. We 
found the houses full of military stores. 

Journal of Capt. John Montressor, Chief Engineer British Army. 

''The elegant seat of the late William Moore, Esq., near 600 acres, a 
very valuable grist mill; the River Schuylkill which bounds the lands for 
some distance atifords a great shad fishery during the season." — Rental 
adver., 1783. 

Among the active irregular troops in the British service in front of 
Philadelphia, the Queen's Rangers, a regiment composed of loyalists, 
was sometimes troublesome. They were commanded by Lieut. Col. J. G. 
Simcoe, an English officer of enterprise, whose story of the achievements 
of his command in America was published for the edification of his 
friends in England and reprinted in 1844. The Rangers were among the 
soldiery upon this march and they probably burned the Valley Forge 
mills, as Simcoe claims to have occupied the Potts residence before 
Washington selected it as his headquarters. 

The army bakers lepaired the ruins of Col. Dewee's house and built 
their ovens in the basement. This structure forms a part of the exist- 
ing Washington Inn. Many of the country people baked bread for the 
camp upon the basis of a pound of bread for a pound of flour. 

2. — The Ruin of the Forge 

Wayne Orderly book, April 29th 1778. 

"Complaint having been made by Mr. Dewees, the proprietor of the 
Valley Forge that the Soldiers pull down the houses and break up the 
Fore Bay of which is called the Valley Forge the Commander-in-Chief 
strictly forbids all Persons from Further Damages to the said Buildings 
and Works, which he hopes will be particularly attended to especially 
when they consider the great loss that Mr. Dewees has already suffered 
by the great Waste which our Army has been under the Necessity of 
Committing upon the Wood and other improvements." 

3. — Strength of the Enemy 

Howe's whole command in America is said to be — 

i6th & 17th Regts of Light Dragoons, i Brigade of Guards, 5 Com- 
panies of Artillery, 9 Regiments of Foot, 2 Battalions of Marines — 
British. 

7Z 



2 Companies of Chasseurs, i8 Regts of Foot, i Regt Artillery — 
Hessians. 

Ships — so to 28 guns, 34; 20 to 10 guns, 22; Bombs, 2; Armed vessels, 10. 
James Lovell, letter of Sept. 17th 1777 

4. — Where Southern Soldiers Rest 

It is said that upon the north side of ''rear-line hill," which must have 
been in the vicinity of Mcintosh's command, a large number of skeletons 
of soldiers were exposed to view by the washing away of the ground 
years after the camp was abandoned, and it is also affirmed that those 
buried there were Southern soldiers. 

5 — The Semi-Centennial 

The first recorded suggestion looking toward the preservation of the 
Valley Forge encampment ground by the public authorities was made 
at the semi-centennial celebration held here in the summer of 1828. 

The Valley Forge Headquarters' building was dedicated by the Cen- 
tennial Association of Valley Forge, upon June 19th, 1879. The paid 
admissions at the building in the year 1903 were 11,974. 

The present caretaker at the Washington Headquarters is Ellis L. 
Hampton. 

6. — The Road in the Valley 

The pleasant road beside the valley stream did not exist prior to 1830, 
about which year it was constructed by Colonel George W. Holstein, 
Supervisor of Upper Merion. The spring along this road was probably 
unknown at the time of the encampment. 

7. — Death of John Waterman 

■Q^^^ gij. Camp Valley Forge, Apl 24th 1778 

Captain Tew and myself arrived safe to post the 22d inst., found the 
encampment in perfect tranquility and the enemy peacable in their 
quarters. Am sorry to inform you that yesterday died of a short illness 
that worthy gentleman John Waterman Esqr. Commissary of our 
brigade. Humble servant 

(Rhode Island Continental Line) William Allen. 

It is an interesting fact that four officers in the army bore the name 
of John Waterman; all were from New England. 

A short distance beyond the Star Redoubt and upon elevated ground 
adjoining the still visible cellars of the huts occupied by officers of the 
Continental Army, the Washington Memorial Chapel is in process of 
erection, under the direction of the Norristown Convocation of the 
Protestant Episcopal Church. This mission house has been prompted by 
patriotic sentiments and will, when completed, form a striking and 
beautiful feature of the picturesque and inspiring scene. 

8. — Philadelphia Tories of Note 

The three sons of Chief Justice Allen, of Philadelphia, members of a 
wealthy and prominent family, were originally inclined to the patriot 
side. In 1774 Andrew Allen was First Lieutenant in the First Troop 
Philadelphia City Cavalry, from which he resigned, William was a Lieut. 
Colonel in a Pennsylvania Regiment on duty in the North under St. Clair. 
Both brothers sought the protection of Howe, and the third was placed 
under surveillance by the American authorities. William, recruited a 
Loyalist regiment. James Allen died Sept. 19th 1778. 

Enoch Story was appointed by Howe Inspector of Prohibited goods, 
but in the course of the year departed for England. 

74 




Old Mill, Valley Forge 




Washington Inn Valley Forge 



75 



Joseph Galloway, a wealthy lawyer, became general superintendent in 
city affairs during the stay of the enemy, with whom he departed, and 
his estate being confiscated he repaired to London and occupied himself 
by writing circulars abusing Howe for losing the country to the crown. 

Probably through the intervention of his friend Franklin, part of the 
estate, belonging to his wife was afterward restored. 

Philadelphia Nov. 15th 1777 

"Three Regts of Provincials raising. Aliens, Chalmers and Cliftons, 
the latter Roman Catholics." 
Journal of Capt. John Montressor, Chief Engineer British Army. 

May 7th 1778 

Allen's and Clifton's Regts were sent to Gloucester, the 3d Provincial 
Regt, Chalmer's, going into camp near the Schuylkill river below the 
upper ferry. 

A "Black List" was published in 1802 containing the names of 486 
tories who were attainted of High Treason in the State of Pennsylvania, 
being men who adhered to the King after July 4th, 1776, and most of 
whom were pronounced by the Supreme Court of the State, in 1781, to 
be aliens and devoid of civic rights. 

9. — The Enemy in Philadelphia 

Much of the artillery was parked in the State House (Independence) 
Square. 

Some of the grenadiers occupied the State House. 

The Hessians and part of the grenadiers were located on Callowhill 
and Noble Streets between 4th and 5th Streets. Other troops along 
north side of Callowhill Street as far as the present Broad Street. Eight 
Regiments were behind the entrenchment between Bush Hill and Fair- 
mount. The Yagers were at 22d Street and Pennsylvania Ave, the 
dragoons and three foot regiments between Vine and Race Streets west 
of 8th Street. 

10. — Where Lord Howe Lived 

General Howe was first quartered at the residence of General Cad- 
wallader, Second Street, below Spruce, and later he occupied the house 
on High Street, east of Sixth, which was years afterward the dwelling of 
President Washington. 

II. — A Hessian's Summary 

" — just as Congress consists of Scoundrels so the Army consists of 
people, warmed up in part by the war party, also their only support is in 
the war, and who are unwilling to exchange sword for last and needle, 
or who may fear that their former masters, whose serfs they are, would 
harness them to the yoke, as soon as they surrendered their Captain and 
Subaltern patents. This is the army proper of the enemy, numbering 
about 12,000 men. The remainder substitutes and militia of whom ten or 
twenty thousand are mobile at times, these fight only for the Province 
in which they dwell and have been unable to resolve joining the Army 
and going into another province * * * This is about a fair picture 
of the present situation: The enemy is encamped in huts at Wilmington 
and Valley Forge, and Washington and Stirling have wagered as to who 
had the best huts erected. Last year we lay in them and our army 
X. y. z. strong, lies in Philadelphia which is fortified by eleven redoubts 
and one outpost. We are supplied with all that is necessary and super- 
fluous. Assemblies, Concerts, Comedies, clubs and the like make us 
forget there is any war, save that it is a capital joke" 

From the letter book of Capt. Johann Heinrichs, Hessian Yager Corps, 
Jan. i8th 1778. 

7^ 







Ruins of the Gulf Mill 



; ., 




f, J 










•"■<*!•», 



Memorial Stone at Gulf Mill 




77 



12. — Country Homes Burned 

The British burned, upon November 22d, 1777, all of the buildings in 
front of their line of defense, some twenty-seven houses, several of them 
being- fine country residences. 

13. — A Spy's Report 

"The lines at the North End of the City are nearly compleat, they are 
ditched and facin'd from Delaware to Schuylkill, between each Redoubt. 
—They have pulled down Peal hall and all the rest of the houses facing 
their Redoubts. They have ordered all the wood within their lines to 
be cutt for the use of the Army, they are takeing up houses & when 
the empty ones are full they quarter the rest on the Inhabitants— The 
army are very healthy & very saucy, say they have men enough to de- 
fend their Lines whilst Cornwallis clears the Country." 

From secret intelligence sent from Philadelphia, Nov. 21, 1777. 

14.— The Infantry of Grey and the Light Infantry 

^The massacre of Paoli was perpetrated by a column under General 
(jrrey, composed of the First Light Infantry, the Forty-second High- 
landers (Black Watch) and the Forty-fourth Regiment. From the 
bloody work done by the Light Infantry they were know^n as "The 
Surprisers," and were singled out for vengeance by Wayne's troops, 
who sent word to them that they would give them no quarter in battle. 
Upon this the Light Infantry dyed the feathers in their hats red that 
they might protect the other troops from their especial enemies. The 
regiment still wears this red plume as a vested right. 

Equally as it is the province of history to preserve the names of heroes 
it should be a duty to save from oblivion for the detestation of ages to 
follow the memory of such monsters as Grey, the British General by 
whose orders all prisoners were murdered at Paoli and a year later near 
Hackensack, N. J. 

15. Population in the Captured City 

May 27th 1778. The number of souls in Philadelphia comprehending 
the Army, seamen and Inhabitants consist of 60,000 
Journal of Capt. John Montressor, Chief Engineer British Army. 

Several members of the Society of Friends resident in Philadelphia, 
addressed an appeal for assistance during the British occupation, to 
Friends in Ireland. They stated that independently of the military the 
city at that time contained 20,000 people. 

16. — Philadelphia under Lord Howe 

Among those who came upon the transports were a shoal of "mer- 
chants," English and Scotch tories, who siezed upon the best of the 
vacant stores and presently filled the newspapers with advertisements of 
their wares. These newcomers dealt for gold only. The number of 
these worthies is stated by Christopher Marshall in his diary for February 
28th, 1778, as being a hundred and twenty-one. 

_ "Our army is x. y. z. strong and fully clothed, and in excellent condi- 
tion, full of courage and beautifully drilled, capable of looking into the 
white of the eye of Washington and all of his tatterdemalions. 

There is an abundance of victuals. Clothing of that which there is any 
necessity and that which is a luxury. Only horribly dear! 

The cotirage of the enemy's army has revived in consequence of our 
proclamations, ofTers of peace etc, but even the cleverest of their officers 
confess that they could not stand their ground still less whip us." 

Letter book of Capt. Johann Heinrichs, Hessian Yager Corps, Phila- 
delphia, June 5th 1778 

78 







n 



While the Americans hovered in doubt and dread of the coming winter 
around Camp Hill, even .the confident and comfortable enemy in the 
city had its blue days. This fact is reflected by Captain Montressor's 
entry of November ist, 1777, inspired probably by a tiag through the 
rebel lines advising the British commander of the disaster to Burgoyne: 
"We are just now an army without provisions, a Rum artillery for 
besieging, scarcely any ammunition, no clothing nor any money. Some- 
what dejected by Burgoyne's capitulation and not elated with our late 
manoevres as Donop's repulse and Augusta and Merlin bemg burnt and to 
compleat all being Blockaded" 

"But the residence of the army at Philadelphia occasioned distresses 
which will probably be considered, by the generalety of mankind, as of a 
more grevious nature. Provisions were most exorbitantly high, gaming 

of every species was permitted, and even sanctioned, a foreign 

officer held the bank at the game of pharo, by which he made a very 
comfortable fortune, and but too many respectable families in Britain 
have to lament its baneful efifects. Officers who might have rendered 
honorable service to their country were compelled, by what was termed 
a bad run of luck to dispose of their commissions and return penniless to 
their friends in Europe." 

Stedman's History of the American War, London, 1794, 

17. — A Derelict General 

"In this infirm and dangerous state he continued from December until 
May, during all which time every person expected that the Commander 
in Chief would have stormed or besieged his camp, the situation of which 
equally invited either attempt. To have posted two thousand men on a 
commanding ground near the bridge, on the north side of the Schuylkill, 
would have rendered his escape on the left impossible, two thousand men 
placed on a like ground opposite the narrow pass would have as effectu- 
ally prevented a retreat in his rear, and five or six thousand men, sta- 
tioned on the front or right of his camp would have deprived him of flight 
upon these sides. — But our army, neglecting all these opportunities, was 
suffered to continue at Philadelphia, where the whole winter was spent 
in dissipation. A want of discipline and proper subordination pervaded 
the whole army: and if disease and sickness thinned the American army 
encamped at Valley Forge, indulgence and luxury perhaps did no less 
injury to the British troops at Philadelphia." 

Stedman's History of the American War, London, 1794. 

Perhaps the most original and quaint of the many forgotten books of 
the Revolution is a curious volume by Richard Snowden, date unknown, 
in which the story of the war is told in the stately phrase of the Bible. 
A copy of this book has reached the writer from Mrs. Joseph R. Craig, 
of Philadelphia. That portion relating to Valley Forge and General 
Howe is a good example of the whole: 

"The soliers of the King of Britain occupied the houses in the city 
they feared not the driving snow nor beating rain ! inasmuch as they 
were clad in warm clothing that was made of the fleeces of sheep, which 
fed in fat pastures of the island of Albion! 

But it was not so with the valiant men of Columbia, who fought the 
battles of the great Sanhedrim! they were poorly clad and many of them 
walked barefooted to the place of their encampment; and the frozen earth 
was stained with the blood of the men of war. 

Amongst the trees of the forest they pitched their tents! the fierce 
bowlings of winter chased away their repose! They were like unto a 
ship in a troubled sea! they were tossed in their minds as a leaf driven 
to and fro by contending currents. 

Nevertheless, the spirit of opposition remained firm within them! the 
words of the great Sanhedrim were as a law written in their inward 
parts! they had tasted of the waters of strife and the thoughts of 
submission were driven far away, even as the chaff is driven from the 
threshing floor of the husbandman. 

80 




Headquarters of Gen. Howe, near Valley Forge, in Sept. ly-/ 




Headquarters ui- Lord Cornwallis, near Valley Forge, in Sept, 1777 



81 



But William, chief captain of the armies of Britain, fared sumptuously 
every day and delighted himself with vain sports and shews! and was 
occupied with those things that were not seemly for a warrior, he loved 
pleasure and became vain in his immaginations! 

The glory of Britain passeth away like a shadow: her degenerate sons 
consume her fame: she is verily, like unto a harlot whose virtue has 
vanished and whose beauty is withered. 

Say no more amongst yourselves. We will be avenged on such a 
nation for lo! ye could not stand before this people" 

l8. Lord Stirling's Advice 

In a letter to General Washington dated October 29th, 1777. Lord 
Stirling advised making winter cjuarters somewhere near Radnor Meeting 
House eciually distant from the fords of the Schuylkill below Valley 
Forge. 

19.— At Gulf Mill 

"Cold rainy Day. Baggage ordered over the Gulph of our Division 
which we were to march at Ten, but the baggage was order'd back and 
for the first time since we have been here the Tents were pitch'd to 
keep the men more comfortable." — Diary of Surgeon Albigence Waldo. 

20. — The Gulf Mill Memorial 

In front of the old Gulf Mill, which dates from 1747, a great boulder 
standing nine feet high upon its base was dedicated upon June 19th, 1893, 
by the Pennsylvania Sons of the Revolution. It bears a panel inscribed 
with the fact that the Continental Army encamped in this vicinity from 
December 13th to the 19th, 1777. 

21. — Valley Forge Proposed 

Probably the first mention of Valley Forge as a desirable wintering 
place for the Continentals was made, in his opinion to the Commander 
in Chief, submitted, with others, at the White Marsh council of war, by 
Col. Lutterloh, who urges that. one or more brigades should be located 
at "Wolley Forge." 

22. Where Washington Camped 

Washington's Marquee tent is indicated upon a French sketch map in 
the vicinity of Washington redoubt. 

23. — Washington's Expense Account 

Washington received no pay from the Government for his services, 
but in 1783 he rendered a detailed account of his personal expenses from 
the date of assuming command of the forces. The total amount of the 
period of nearly seven years being £16.311. 

24. — A Multi-Colored Army 

So diverse were the uniforms provided b}^ the dififerent States to their 
soldiers that in order to distinguish them as friends it was ordered, at 
the battle of Germantown, that each man should wear a piece of white 
paper in his hat. 

25. — Billy Lee, Servant 

A humble but highly important functionary of Washington's entourage 
was his colored servant, "Billy Lee." whose portrait by the famous 
Philadelphia artist, Peale. is now among the treasures of the Historical 
Society of Pennsylvania. 

26. — The Commander-in-Chief's Life Guard 

By Washington's own account his personal guard in the winter of 
1777-8 was composed entirely of Virginians. When Baron Steuben pro- 
posed to school an especial corps for the new drill the Commander-in- 
Chief's Guard was increased by one hundred new men selected from the 
regiments of other States, making a force of 146 men exclusive of the 
officers, all being native Americans. 

82 



Steuben first exhibited his Headquarters drill-corps before the In- 
spectors and other officers upon April 6th, 1778. The officers of the 
infantry at this time, were Captain Caleb Gibbs, Lieut. Livingston, Lieut. 
Benjamin Grymes, Lieut. William Colfax and Surgeon Samuel Hanson, 
son of the President of Congress. The uniform of the horse was of dark 
blue, with a helmet adorned by a fox tail, and that of the infantry guards 
a dark blue coat faced with buff, red vest, buckskin breeches, white cross 
belts and a black cocked hat, edged with white tape. 

27. — Flag of the Life Guard. List of Members 

The flag of the "Life Guard" or Commander-in-Chief's Guard was 
deposited in Alexandria, Virginia, after the war, and was still preserved 
there as late as 1856. Its present whereabouts if still existing has not 
been discovered by the writer. 

This practice has led in later times to much innocent confusion upon 
the part of many who have been anxious to claim descent from members 
of the special guards of Washington. For an accurate and complete list 
see Dr. C. E. Godfrey' book, "The Commander-in-Chief's guard, Revolu- 
tionary War." 

28. — The First Revolutionary Monument Proposed 

Weedon Orderly book, Nov. nth, 1777. 

"The Hon'ble Continental Congress have passed the following Re- 
solves which have been transmitted hither to be made publick in the 
Army, viz. 

Resolved, that his Excellency Governor Caswell of North Carolina be 
requested to erect a Monument at the Expense of the United States in 
honour of the Memory of Brigad. Gen'l Francis Nash who fell in the 
Battle of German Town on the 4 Day of October 1777 bravely contending 
for the Independence of his Country." 

This was probably the first monument ordered for a Revolutionary 
hero. 

29. — The Centennial Orator. 1878 

The principal orator upon the occasion was the late Henry Armitt 
Brown, Esq., of Philadelphia, whose lamented death, soon afterward, 
was due to exposure during the delivery of his address. 

30. General George Weedon 

General Weedon had been a "Virginia tavernkeeper from Fredericks- 
burg, and as he was reputed to have served his customers with rum in 
gourds, he was derisively known in the army as "Joe Gourd." There 
are tales of his cruelty toward his men, but they may have been quite 
as unjust as many other legends of the time reflecting upon officers. 
Weedon was still in the army at the time of the surrender at Yorktown. 

31. — Lord Stirling's Position 

An interesting sketch map, made by a French engineer and now in 
possession of Gov. Sam'l W. Pennypacker, indicates that later the bri- 
gade of Lord Stirling was stationed upon the slope of the height to the 
west of the mouth of Valley Creek and near the river. 

32. — One of Wayne's Officers 

Capt. John Davis' home is the old Walley Davis property now owned 
by Mr. A. J. Cassatt. Capt. Davis belonged to the Penna. Line and was 
in camp at Valley Forge. He belonged to Wayne's Command. Original 
house still standing. 

83 



33 —Where British Officers Slept 

After the Battle at Brandywine, the British oi^cers were quartered, 
September 17th to 21st, 1777, as foHows: 

NAME OF OFFICER. OWNER's NAME, 1777-78. OWNER'S NAME, 1898. 

Cornwallis Abel Reese Est. Mary Reese 

(Near Lime-kilns on Cassatt Road from Berwyn.) 
Howe Sam'l Jones Abram Latch 

34. — Patriot Women of Valley Forge 

Among the patriotic women of the neighborhood who sought to 
alleviate the miseries of the camp were Sarah Walker, Elizabeth Stephens, 
Priscilla Stephens, Margaret Beaver, Elizabeth Moore and Jane Moore. 

35- — The Defensive Works. 

Weedon Orderly book, Jan. 15th, 1778. 

"The works mark'd out by the Ingenieurs for the defense of the Camp 
are to be erected with all possible dispatch and the Commander in Chief 
requests the favor of General Green Lord Stirling and the Marquis La 

Fayette to consult with Gen'l Portail on the proper means and 

number of men necessary to execute the works in the different Wing's 
and Second Line and give orders accordingly" 

36. — A Forty-day Voyage 

Lord Howe's indecision of character seems well illustrated by the fact 
that in 1777, he embarked the force, destined for Philadelphia, consisting 
of 36 British and Hessian battalions, the Queen's Rangers and a Regi- 
ment of Light Horse, upon transports at New York, together with 
horses and baggage. Forty days of midsummer elapsed before they 
were finally landed at Elk River, Maryland. 

37- — Howe's Abundant Army 

Sir William Howe had originally demanded from the home govern- 
ment, in a letter of November 26th, 1775, 19,000 men, estimating that with 
these he could succeed against the colonials, but the war office had sent 
him, in all, 31,476 soldiers, in addition to which, upon Nov. 30th 1776 and 
Jan. 20th 1777 he had called for 15,000 and 20,000 more men respectively, 
or a total proposed force less losses of over 65,000, at a time when the 
Continental line did not exceed 8000 rank and file. In response to 
Howe's calls the government did increase his army to 40,000 men. 

38.— Where the Huts Were Built 

The greater number of the huts were built upon the land of Mordecai 
Moore and David Stevens, some being upon the property of other 
owners. 

39- — Thomas Paine's Letter 

"I was there when the army first began to build huts. They appeared 
to me like a family of beavers. Every one busy, some carrying logs, 
others mud and the rest plastering them together. The whole was 
raised in a few days and it is a curious collection of buildings in the 
true rustic order." — Paine to Franklin. 

40.— A Midnight Feast 

At 12 of the clock at night Providence sent us a little Mutton with 
which we immediately had some Broth made & a fine Stomach for same. 
Ye who Eat Pumpkin Pie and Roast Turkies and yet Curse fortune for 




HKAi)(^>rAR I i;rs of Baron de Kali; ami (Ien. Cko, Weedon 




vJ^^i^fiff* 




\4 



Home of Capt. John Davis 



85 



using: you ill Curse her no more lest she reduce your Allowance of her 
favours to a bit of Fire Cake & a draught of Cold Water & in Cold 
Weather too. 

Diary of Surgeon Waldo, Dec. 22, 1777. 

41.— Soldier Highwaymen 

Even Washington's Life Guard contained men who turned highwaymen 
and robbed the countrymen. Later in the war several of them were 
hanged for the offense. 

42. — English Goods for Yankee Warriors 

"The Brigg taken from the Enemy (and mentioned New Years Day) 
is the greatest prize ever taken from them — There is Scarlet — Blue — and 
Bufi Cloth, sufficient to Cloath all the OlTficers of the Army — and Hats— 
Shirts — Stockings — Shoes — Boots — Spurs — &c, to finish compleat Suits 
for all. A petition is sent to his Excellency that this Cloathing may be 
dealt out to the Regimental Officers only at a moderate price — excluding 
Commissaries — Bull Drivers &c — There are 4 or 5000 Apeletes of gold 
and Silver — Many chests of private Ofificers Baggage — and General 
How's Silver Plate — and Kitchen furniture &c. This Cargo was sent 
to Cloathe all the Officers of the British Army." 

Diary of Surgeon Waldo, Dec. 22d, 1777. 

43. -An Oasis of Plenty 

"Valley Forge, January 14th, 1778. 
"At the request of Col. Stewart the officers of the regiment (13th Penn- 
sylvania) were summoned to dine with him, where we spent the day in 
civil jollity. In this manner several days were spent passing by rotation 
from the senior to the junior officers. Thus, and in many other desirable 
enjoyments we passed some part of the winter campaign making our- 
selves as happy as circumstances would admit." — Diary of Lieut. 
McMichael Coe, John Bull's Regiment of Foot. 

44> — York's Festive Winter 

York, Pa., Feb. 20th 1778 

Balls have been given so often as to call forth remonstrances from 
all the clergymen in the town. 
Diary of Rev. Geo. Neisser. 

45' — Through French Eyes 

M. du Portail, a French Colonel and a Brigadier General in the Ameri- 
can Army, wrote from White Marsh camp upon November 12th 1777 to 
the French Minister of War in the following terms. 

"You will be astonished Sir, at this language, but such are these 
people that they move without spring or energy, without vigor, and with- 
out passion for a cause in which they are engaged, and which they follow 
only as the impulse of the hand that first put them in motion directs. 
There is an hundred times more enthusiasm for this revolution in any 
one coffee-house of Paris, than in all the Thirteen Provinces united. It 
is necessary, then that France, to accomplish this revolution should fur- 
nish these people with every requisite to lessen the hardships of war. 
True, it will cost some millions, but they will be well laid out in anni- 
hilating the power of England, which, bereft of her colonies, without a 
navy and without commerce, will lose her consequence in the world and 
leave France without a rival." 

46. — The Guard at the Bridg'e 

Wayne Orderly book, April 17th, 1778. 

"All permits to go out of Camp for the future are to be by Brigadiers 
or Ofificers commanding Brigades. The Officers of the Guard at Sul- 

86 




The King of Prussia Tax krn 




On Gulf Road leading from Valley Forge 



87 



livan's Bridge to carefully Inspect the Paper offered them and make 
himself a Judge of their Authority." 

47. — Discouraged Officers — Blankets or Straw 

"Many officers who have behaved with credit have petitioned me for 
Leave to Retire for a Season or to Resign their Commissions and as- 
signed as a Reason for not waiting on me that they were so naked they 
were ashamed to be seen. That clothing was not to be had and even if 
it was their wages would not enable them to purchase; I have taken pains 
to Inquire of the most sensible officers and have conversed with several 
General Officers upon the alarming spirit of Resignation which takes 
place in the Army and find they in general say this: that they and their 
men have been marching and countermarching all the year, that they 
have fought no General Action besides Skirmishes, that the cloathes and 
Shoes which they wore out has amounted to their washes, which leaves 
their Families to suffer at home. That the Baggage they sent to Beth- 
lehem has been mostly plundered and they have no possible way of 
replacing it: That the price of Articles bears no proportion to their wages 
— they further say that their Rank has not been settled, that they have 
been told from time to time that this should be done when they Retired 
to winter Quarters of which they do not see the least prospect and that 
while they have contentedly borne all this they Daily see Congress 
placing men over their heads without any Regard to their Ranks or 
Services" 

From opinion of Maj. Gen. Sullivan at Council of War at Whitemarsh, 
Dec. 4th 1777 

Wayne Orderly book. May i6th, 1778. 

"The Brigade quartermasters to provide straw for the men who have 
no blankets, the sick of the several Regiments to be first supplied." 

Weedon Orderly book, Jan. 23d, 1778. 

"The distress for Blankets makes it necessary to retain those the 
Soldiers have who is then discharged. This the Brigadier will be readily 
complyed with By the men who are going home in order to afford more 
Comfort to their Brother Soldiers who keep the Field." 

48. — Women Who Sewed 

A letter in the Philadelphia Item, May 27th, 1898, dated at Glen Rock, 
Pa., includes a statement that one day the camp was rejoiced by the 
arrival of ten teams of Oxen driven by women, hauling supplies, includ- 
ing two thousand shirts made for the army by the women of Philadelphia. 
The writer does not explain how these goods got through the British 
lines. 

49- — Mortality in the Hospitals 

Conditions in the hospitals established at Bethlehem and other points 
after the campaign of 1777 were little if any better than those existing 
at the camp. In the Bethlehem hospital where the Moravians assisted 
the army surgeons and nurses faithfully the want of medicines and cloth- 
ing as well as the crowded condition of the wards occasioned great mor- 
tality. Out of forty men of the Sixth Virginia Regiment sent there all 
died but three. 

50. — Sergeant Kemp's Graphic Letter 

Sergeant Andrew Kemp, writing upon June 13th, 1788, to his mother, 
who lived in Chester County, told the following story: 

"We have had a dreadful time of it through the winter at Valley Forge, 
sometimes for a week at a time with nothing but frozen potatoes and 
even worse still for clothing. Sometimes the men obliged to sleep by 



turns for want of blankets to cover the whole, and the rest keeping watch 
by the fires. There is hardly a man who has not been frostbitten. * * * 
* * * But our distress for want of food was nothing compared to the 
grumbHng of some of the men and, I am sorry to say, of some of the 
officers. I really thought we should have a meeting once or twice, but 
we weathered it through without it. Some hard things are said since 
about some of the officers." 

51. — Clam Soup 

Sullivan's men, being posted at the river, enjoyed a special source of 
nutriment as they fished the clams from the river bed and converted 
them into soup. 

52. — Hard Money, at Last 

"We marched from our encampment about 11 o'clock yesterday, crossed 
Schuylkill bridge, and marched into the city down Chestnut Street 
about one o'clock, the detachment divided into two Battalions. We 
marched down Front Street and embarq'd near the Drawbridge, hauled 
off in the Stream and fell down opposite Almond Street. About an hour 
after the most of the officers went on shore and received from the Pay- 
master one month's pay in hard money, the first of the kind any of our 
line ever received" 

Letter book of Lieut. Enos Reeves, Oct. 2d, 1781. 

53.— Hessian Farm Hands 

Doubtless many a Hessian was put to the same task, as the prisoners 
of Trenton were, to some extent, employed by the Pennsylvania farmers. 

'"The Hessian prisoners who have been working for the people in this 
vicinity have been summoned to repair to Lancaster tomorrow and from 
thence will be taken to Philadelphia for exchange." June 15 1778 

Records of the Moravian Congregation at Hebron, Pa. 

Tradition exists that the first of the Astor family, Heinrich, came over 
sea with the Hessians, "a rotund, rollicking butcher in the commissary 
department, who afterward followed his calling in the Bowery, New 
York City, and induced his famous brother Jacob, to also migrate to 
America. 

54.— A Knitting Party 

In February, Lady Stirling and Mrs. General Knox visited Mrs. Wash- 
ington, and their time was spent in knitting socks for the soldiers. 
Mrs. Bowen, of Chester County, often visited the camp on horseback, 
bringing gifts of food in the saddle bags, and it is said, by Mrs. Margaret 
B. Harvey, Historian of. Merion Chapter, D. of R., that she taught 
Mrs. Washington how to knit stockings. 

55. — The Penalty of Treason 

"Thos. Fitzgerald and David Rush Inhabitants of this State Tryed for 
attempting to Relieve the Enemy with Provisions found Guilty of a 
Breach of a Resolution of Congress Oct. 8th '77 and Extended &c. 
Sentenced each to Receive 100 lashes on Their bare Back." 

Weedon Orderly book, Feb. 8th. 1778. 

"Thos. Butler an Inhabitant of the State of Pennsylvania tried for 

attempting to Carry flour into Philadelphia. Sentenced to receive 

250 lashes on his bare back. 

Wayne Orderly book, April i6th, 1778. 

At a Gen'l Court Martial where of Col. Wigglesworth was Presid't 
Feb'y 4th Philip Kirk tried for supplying the enemy with Cattle. Found 
Guilty and Sentenced to be confined in some Goal in Pennsylvania during 



the Enemies Staying and both his real and personal Estate to be taken 
from him for the Use of the United States of America." 

(The latter clause was disapproved by the Commander-in-Chief.) 

56. — Market Days. 

Weedon Orderly book, Feb. 8th, 1778. 

"Tomorrow being the Day appointed for Opening the Market at the 
Stone Chimney Pickett the Army is desired take notice of the same. 
Markets wil be held at the same place every Monday and Thursday, on 
the East side of the Schuylkill near the North Bridge Every Tuesday 
and Friday, near the Adju't Gen'ls Office Every Wednesday and Sat- 
urday." 

57. — Qu&kers — Good and Bad 

After the departure of the enemy from Philadelphia two Quakers 
named Roberts and Carlisle were tried and executed in Philadelphia 
under martial law. 

Isaac Walker and other members of the Society of Friends hauled all 
of Washington's army stores from White Marsh to Valley Forge free 
of charge, and the Friends generally in the vicinity are credited with 
much humanity toward the troops. 

58.— Thomas Paine 

It has been claimed by some writers that Thomas Paine, the brilliant, 
erratic, sceptical bohemian who wrote the "Age of Reason," addressed 
the troops at some time during the encampment and in so doing greatly 
encouraged them. This is, however, apparently beyond confirmation. 
During much of that winter Paine was a guest in the home of William 
Henry at Lancaster, engaged intermittently in writing his famous Crisis. 
William Henry, an ancestor of Dr. Jordan, of the Pennsylvania Histori- 
cal Society, was the inventor of the screw augur, and with Rittenhouse, 
Payne and John Hart active in the affairs of the American Philosophical 
Society. 

59. — General Conway 

Washington wrote to Richard Henry Lee in Congress: 
"General Conway's merit as an officer and his importance in this army 
exist more in his immagination than in reality. For it is a maxim with 
him to leave no service of his own untold, nor to want anything which 
is to be obtained by importunity" 

60. — The Victory at Saratoga 

The troops under Gates at the battle of Saratoga were Nixon's, Glov- 
er's and Patterson's Continental brigades, all of Massachusetts. Poors 
Brigade of New Hampshire, consisting of Cilley's Scammels and Hale's 
Regiments. The 3d New York regiment Col. Van Courtlandt, 4th New 
York regiment Col. Henry Livingston, two Connecticut militia regiments 
under Colonels Cook and Lattimer, Morgan's Rifle Corps and three 
hundred light infantry under Col. Dearborn of New Hampshire. 

61. — The Contempt of Washington 

Upon February 28, 1778, General Washington wrote to Col. John F. 
Fitzgerald at Alexandria, Va. : 

"I have a good deal of reason to believe that the machination of this 
Junta will recoil upon their own heads and be a means of bringing some 
matters to light which, by getting me out of the way, they thought to 
conceal." 

"I am content if they remove almost any General except his Excellency. 
The country, even Congress, are not aware of the Confidence the Army 
Places in him, or motions never would have been made for Gates to 



take the Command." — Letter from Capt. Seidell, of the Connecticut Line, 
written at Valley Forge. 

After the collapse of the cabal, Conway resigned from the Board of 
War, and having been severely wounded in a duel, believing himself about 
to die. he wrote a contrite letter to General Washington. He recovered 
and left the country. 

62. — Count Pulaski 

Cassimir, Count Pulaski, of Poland, was at Valley Forge for a time, 
occupying the house of Devault Beaver (now owned by Henry War- 
burton). He left there to recruit the Pulaski Legion (cavalry). The 
banner for this corps was made by the Moravian nuns of Bethlehem. 

63. — The New Drill Master 

Wayne Orderly book, March 6th, 1778. 

"Baron Steuben, a Lieut. General in Foreign Service and a gentleman 
of great Military Experience Having oblidgingly undertaken the exercise 
of the Office of Inspector General in this Army, the Commander in Chief, 
till the Pleasure of Congress shall be known Desires that he will be 
Respected and Obeyed as such and hopes and expects that all Officers 
of whatever Rank in it will Afford him every aid in their Power in the 
execution of his office." 

64. — Steuben's Impressions of the Camp ; His Later Life in America 

Soon after the Baron Steuben had reached the Camp he wrote oi his 
impressions in these words: "The arms at Valley Forge were in a horrible 
condition covered with rust, half of them without bayonets, many from 
which a single shot could not be fired. The pouches were quite as bad 
as the arms. A great many of the men had tin boxes instead of pouches, 
others had cow horns, and muskets, carbines, fowling pieces and rifles 
were seen in the same company. The description of the dress is most 
easily given. The men were literally naked, some of them in the fullest 
sense of the word. The officers who had coats had them of every color 
and make. I saw officers at a grand parade at Valley Forge mounting 
guard in a sort of dressing gown made of an old blanket or woolen bed 
cover. With regard to their military discipline I may safely say that no 
such thing existed." 

Powder Horns a Novelty to Steuben 

Many of the powder horns still largely in use, especially with the 
riflemen, which were a novelty to Baron Steuben, were decorated with 
rude defiances and considerable sentiment. This custom seems to have 
been popular with both sides. Following are a few examples: 

"L powder, with my brother, ball 
Hero like do conquer all"' 

"The red-coat who steals this Horn 
Will go to hel as shures hes Born" 

"Down with the Tyrant King!" 

"Yankee doodle cum to Town 
Wareing linen breeches 
He made the red-coats leave the sound 
And filled up all his Ditches" 

"Where waves the British Flag the sun shall never set. Yankee 
doodle be Damd God save the King and dam the Yanks," 

"Help yourself to Grog. I hope God will forgive me for passing my 
time so foolishly." 

"By the first day of April Steuben had already impressed his enthusiasm 
for discipline upon the army. On that date John Laurens wrote: "I 



must not omit to inform you that Baron Steuben is making sensible 
progress with our Soldiers. The officers seem to have a high opinion 
of him, and discover a docility from which we may augur the most happy 
efifects. It would enchant you to see the enlivened scene of our Campus 
Martins." 

Baron Steuben died November 25th, 1795, at the age of sixty-six years, 
upon his large land-grant in the vicinity of Utica, N. Y., where he was 
buried. His aide. Col. North, inherited his property and erected a 
monument to his memory. 

65. — The Gallows 

The gallows is said to have been situated upon the land of David 
Stevens, a little north of the Gulf Road, and near the corner of the 
county line intersection. The land was afterward the property of William 
Henry. 

66. — Many Resignations 

"Yesterday upwards of fifty officers in Gen. Greene's Division resigned 
their commissions. Six or seven in our Regiment are doing the like 
today. All this is occasioned by Officers Families being so much 
Neglected at home on account of Provisions." 

Diary of Surgeon Waldo Dec. 28th 1777. 

67.- — General Joseph Reed 

General Joseph Reed, Adjutant General, was suspected of an intention 
of surrendering to the British at Bristol, N. J., immediately prior to the 
Battle of Trenton. The existing testimony to that effect is to be found 
in the Journal of Margaret Morris, of Burlington, N.J. , and in a collection 
of letters published in 1856 by Horace W. Smith under the title of "Nuts 
for Future Historians to Crack." It is said that Gen. Wm. S. Stryker, 
of New Jersey, discovered in 1876 that Gen'l Joseph Reed was unjustly 
accused, the person really culpable having been another officer named 
Reed holdmg a commission as colonel. 

68. — Diversions in Camp 

Wayne Orderly book, April 27th, 1778. 

"A Few Continental Tickets to be Sold at the Orderly Office, the 
Drawing of the Lottery the first of next month." 

Upon "St. Patrick's day" the Pennsylvania Dutch soldiers set up a 
stuffed "paddy," whereupon the Irish and the Dutch had a fight. This 
was quieted l3y Washington by the issue of a round of grog for the 
whole army. 

69. — A Model Corps. 

Weedon Orderly book, March 17th, 1778. 

"One hundred Chosen men are to be annexed to the Guard of the Com- 
mander in Chief for the purpose of forming a Corps to be instructed in 
the Maneuvres necessary to be introduced in the Army and serve as a 

model for the execution of them ■ — -As the Gen'ls guard is com- 

pos'd entirely of Virginians the 100 Draughts are to be taken from the 
Troops of other States." 

70. — Sanitary Admonitions 

Wayne Orderly book, March 29th, 1778. 

The General therefore in the most Pointed terms Desires the Officers 
to oblige their men to appear Clean and Decent at all times and upon all 
Occasions, even Punishing that Soldier that appears Dirty, whether on 
Duty or not. The Officers will cause the men to wear their Hatts in one 
way in the most Soldierly like Position and oblige them to Mend their 
old clothes so as to make the best appearance possible. The General 
Expects a Sufficiency of Hatts with Some other Clothing for the men 



evei^y Hour. He has also ordered Col. Byard t<.) Lancaster to provide 
the officers clothing and the Drums and Fifes belonging to the Division. 

Anthony Wayne, B. G. 

Wayne Orderly book, April 4th, 1778. 

''Nothing can conduce more to the Health of soldiers than a clean 
Camp clean clothes and victuals well dressed, this however Deeply In- 
volved in Rags an Army may be, and to be effected by Attention in the 
Officers the General therefore calls upon Every Officer from the ^lajor 
General to the Corporal for their exertion, hoping, therefore, by the 
Blessing of God to prevent Such numbers of Deaths which unfortunately 
has happened since we came to this Place." 

Invalids on Inspection 

Wayne Orderly book, April 4th, 1778. 

"It is the General's positive Orders that all the Invalids be Paraded at. 
the same time and that the officers take care that they appear clean and 
that the whole are paraded, the general being Determined to examine 
every man himself to the End that if any of the Soldiers are suffermg for 
want of necessaries or Proper Care or Attention either in the Officers 
or Surgeons that these defects may be Remedied." 

Anthony Wayne, B. G. 

Guard Duty, Two Days. An Unsoldierly Practice 

Wayne Orderly book, April — 

■'In future no Guard in Camp is to be suffered to be on Duty more- 
than 48 hours without being Relieved. On Monday next the several 
Brigades will begin their Exercises at 6 o'clock in the morning and froni_ 
5 o'clock to 6 o'clock in the afternoon." 

Wayne Orderly book. May 12th, 1778. 

Every Commanding officer of Regts and Corps to cause the Taylors, 
to repair the Coats or Uniform of the Soldiers Immediately and by all 
means to Prevent them from carrying their provisions or water on their 
heads or shoulders as nothing tends to destroy and Dirty their Hatts. 
and uniforms equal to this unsoldierly Practice. 

Anthony Wayne B. G. 

71. — A Funeral Order 

Weedon Orderly book, April 12th. 1778. 

"Funeral honors at the Interment of Officers are for the future to be 
confin'd to a solemn procession of Officers and Soldiers in Numbers. 
Suitable to the Rank of the Deceas'd with revers'd arms. Fireing on 
these occasions is to be abolish'd in Camp." 

72. — The Reception of General Charles Lee 

"At the time of his exchange (which was arranged at Germantown) 
Lee was at Yorktown on parole, and on the day fixed for his reporting at 
head-quarters the greatest preparations were made for his reception. 
"All of the principal officers of the Army were drawn up in two lines, 
advanced of the camp about 2 miles toward the Enemy. Then the 
Troops with the inferior officers formed a line quite to head-quarters — 
all the Music of the Army attended. The General with a great number 
of principal Officers and their Suites rode about four miles on the road 
toward Philadelphia, and waited until Gen'l Lee appeared. General 
Washington dismounted and rec'd Gen'l Lee as if he had been his. 
Brother. He passed thro' the Lines of Officers and the Army who paid 
him the highest military Honors to Headquarters, where Mrs. Wash- 
ington was and here he was entertained with an elegant Dinner and the 
music playing the whole time." — Journal of Elias Boudinot. 

"Whether we shall have peace? I hardly think we will before next 
winter. We may be mistaken, as General Lee is going about New York 
on parole." 

Letter book of Capt. Johann Heinrichs, Hessian Yager Corps, Phila- 
delphia Jan. 18, 1778. 

9.r. 



• <.i^Alh 






Birthplace and Home of Gen. Anthony Wayne, Easttovvn, Chester Co., P.a. 



Charles Lee was the son of a British general. He took part in the 
capture of Montreal in 1760. After an absence of thirteen years in 
Europe, during which he had a varied military career, he returned to 
America and offered his services to Congress. He obtained a com- 
mission of Major General. His egotism found expression in an attitude 
of covert hostility toward Washington. His treasonable purposes were 
established upon the publication of Lord Howe's papers in 1857. 

73- — Divine Worship 

Weedon Orderly book. May 2d. 1778. 

"The Commander in Chief Directs that Divine Service be performed 
every Sunday at 11 o clock in those Brigades to which there are Chap- 
lains — those which have none to attend the place of Worship nearest 
to them." 

74 — Lafayette and His Foreign Associates under Services 

On his arrival, he and his companions were much surprised and dis- 
couraged by the receptions they met with. Mr. Deane, the officers were 
told, had gone far beyond his instructions in making contracts with those 
who desired to enter the American service, especially by attempting to 
provide commissions in our army for them. The position of Congress 
was one of great delicacy and difficulty. It was embarrassed by Mr. 
Deane's promises, not merely because no new officers were needed, but 
also because their appointment in accordance with the promise made by 
Deane would make them outrank the American officers, who from the 
beginning had borne the burden and heat of the day, and who were in 
most cases quite as competent for their work as those who sought to 
supersede them. Besides, although La Fayette professed his disinter- 
estedness, yet Congress could not shut its eyes to the fact that he was, 
after all, only a runaway French officer, whose appointment in our army 
might produce at the Court of France a most unfavorable impression at 
a time when we were negotiating for a close alliance with that power. 



94 




95 



Then, in addition to all this, it was not the practice to make men major- 
generals who were but nineteen years old, and who, of course, had had 
no military experience. We were then, it must be remembered, abso- 
lutly dependent for our military supplies upon France, and they had 
been purchased in that country for us by Mr. Deane. Deane was not 
only our purchasing agent, but he assumed to be to a large number of 
French officers who desired to enter into our service authorized to issue 
military commissions to them. As he had received no such instructions 
from our government and no authority from France to confer these com- 
missions in that country, his heedless conduct had to be disavowed. 

Under circumstances such as these Congress may well have been 
embarrassed, and the members who tried to speak French with La 
Fayette's companions were certainly not cordial; but it seemed that there 
was no alternative, and the extraordinary step was taken, July 31, 1777, 
of making a boy of nineteen years of age a major-general, in "considera- 
tion," as the resolution stated, "of his zeal, illustrious family, and con- 
nections." It is true that in order to save appearances the appointment 
was called an honorary one. Kalb and his other friends at first sought 
commissions in vain, but within a short time, probably at the earnest 
request of La Fayette himself, Kalb was made a major-general, his 
commission bearing the same date as that of La Fayette. There seenis 
to have been a certain fascination about La Fayette at this time which 
carried beyond the bounds of prudence in this matter the members of the 
Continental Congress. Even Washington himself does not seem to 
have escaped the contagion of that sympathy which everywhere sur- 
rounded him. The first time he saw him he treated him as his own son 
and begged that he would make the quarters of the Commander-in-Chief 
his home. Nothing is more curious and interesting about this book of 
Mr. Tower than the new light which his account of the relations between 
Washington and La Fayette throws upon the characteristics of the 
former. To him Washington does not appear as the cold, reserved, 
dignified personage whom he is justly represented to be in his inter- 
course with others. In every letter which he writes to La Fayette the 
gentle, affectionate, and tender side of his nature is most conspicuous, 
and La Fayette received it all with a loving, filial reverence which showed 
how he valued the absolute confidence which the great chief reposed in 
him. All his letters breathe the same spirit. Indeed, the affectionate 
relations between Washington and La Fayette, continuing without a 
break for nearly a quarter of a century, seem unparalleled in the history 
of the former's life. — From reviews of "The Marquis De La Fayette in 
the American Revolution," by Charlemagne Tower, Jr., LL. D. Dr. 
Chas. J. Stille in the Pennsylvania Magazine. 1895. 

The Guest of a Grateful Nation 

Forty-six years later this dashing French soldier was to come once 
more to America as the guest of a grateful people. He came marked 
by the heavy hand of time, but with enough of his native strength and 
buoyant spirits to withstand an vmparalleled reception which lasted an 
entire year. The fortune which, in his youth, had been freely used in 
behalf of America was gone, but he made not complaint of pdverty, 
nevertheless the nation presented him, as a token of its appreciation of 
his services, with the sum of $200,000, together with a grant of land. 
Lafayette's official reception took place in Philadelphia September 28th, 
1824. 

Upon the following day a deputation of citizens of the neighboring 
countryside called upon the Marquis de Lafayette to invite him to visit 
Valley Forge and other scenes of Revolutionary interest. He repaired 
to the field of Brandywine, but other plans prevented him from again 
viewing Valley Forge. 

75. — The Barren Hill Expedition 

Wayne Orderly book. May 14th, 1778 

"At a general Court Martial whereof Col. Febecker was President 
Lieut. Carter of Col. Bayleses Regt. of Light Dragoons Tryed for Neg- 

96 






97 



lect of Duty in leaving the different Roads Unguarded from Barren Hill 
Church to Philadelphia by which the Enemy advanced a body of Horse 
and foot to said Church and Surprised and made prisoners of a subaltern 
and his party who had Returned to the Church for Refreshment." 
(Lieut. Carter was acquitted of this charge.) 

"One hundred and two of the Life Guard and three thousands of the 
army was sent under the command of the Right Honorable Maj. Gen. 
Delefiatee and we marched to Barronhill Church and there we made a 
halt and Formed a line of battle and our guard Lay in the Frunt of the 
Party by Gen. Marques Quarters sixteen miles from Valleyford."' — 
Diary of Elijah Fisher, private, Life Guard. May i8, 1778. 

76. — An Indian Maityr — Washington's Indian Escort 

"I was called to relieve a Soldier tho't to be dying — he expired before 
I reach'd the Hutt. He was an hidian. an excellent Soldier — an obedient 
good natur'd fellow. He engaged for money doubtles as others do: — 
but he serv'd his country faithfully — he has fought for those very people 
who disinherited his forefathers — having finished his pilgrimage, he was 
discharged from the War of Life and Death." 

Diary of Surgeon Waldo, Jan. 4, 1778. 

Washington's Lidian auxiliaries formed at times a picturesque feature 
of the army. Lieut. Enos Reeves, describing a grand review (Sept. 13th, 
1780,), thus refers to them as they appeared in the retinue of the Com- 
mander in Chief: 

"I must inform you that his same Motley Crew, that we have just 
received with such pomp, is no less than a number of Lidian Chiefs of 
the Stockbridge Oneida and several other Nations of whom a Colonel 
Lewis is the principal. He has been of infinite service since this War 
commenced and has brought several chiefs of different Nations to see 
the French at Rhode Island where they were a novelty and were treated 
with the utmost civility. They were taken through all our Army and 
saluted at the Park with thirteen pieces of ordnance, which they received 
with a hideous Yell but were much pleased with it. They are enter- 
tained by His Excellency at his own Table; dine, breakfast &c with his 
family and the Gen'l Officers that attend there" 

77.— The British Flight 

June i8th — This day we learned the en-^my had left Philadelphia. 
About 12 o'clock Gen'l Poor's, Varnum's and Huntingdon's Brigades 
and another Southern Brigade marched off, and we had orders with the 
rest of the whole army to march to-morrow morning at 5 o'cl'k. — Journal 
of Ebenezer Wild. 

The British army was gone from Philadelphia, probably forever, Init 
one hundred and twenty-seven years later the band of the Grenadiers 
came back, December, 1904, and standing in front of Lidependence Hall, 
facing the statue of Washington, played the "Star-Spangled Banner." 

78. —Loyalists in Philadelphia 

"Here in Philadelphia there are about one thousand royally inclined 
families who are willing to leave hearth and home and with their chattels 
go with the army. Hence this gives rise to the rumor that we are going 
to leave Philadelphia altogether." 

Letter book of Capt. Johann Heinrichs, Hessian Yager Corps, Phila- 
delphia, June 5th, 1778. 

79. — Hessians Who Stayed — The Day at Monmouth 

Extract from a letter written by Sergeant Andrew Kemp to his 
mother. 

"Monmouth Court House July 2d 1778 

"God be thankful we have '^ad a glorious victory. The British troops 
conmianded by Sir Henry Clinton and ours by General Washington were 







I. Of Q\ 



nearly matched, say ten thousand each. We fought from the forenoon 
till nigh dark, and our whole loss killed and missing is short of seventy 
while the British lost about three hundred, and among them a Col. 
Monks or Monkston. The men behaved very nobly and the morning 
after when we found that the enemy had decamped over night the General 
(Washington) thanked us all from horseback. But one thing there is 
which has occasioned much disturbance among us. I mean the conduct 
of General Lee who attempted to retreat, and who has since been put 
under order to be court martialed." 

The day at Monmouth was so hot that fifty-nine British soldiers died 
of sunstroke, and the Hessians in their heavy uniforms also suffered 
greatly. Col. Moncton referred to in the above cjuotation was buried 
by details of his regiment on the field, his grave being excavated, under 
fire, with their bayonets. 

British military critics commended Lee's retreat at Monmouth as good 
generalship, and. strongly criticised both Washington and Clinton upon 
the manner in which they handled their respective forces. 

80.— A Story of Burr 

A/fatthew L. Davis, Biography of Aaron Burr, tells a story to the 
effect that Lieut. Col. Burr being placed in command of the militia at 
Gulph Mills, provoked a mutiny by his severity, and when a soldier 
stepped from the ranks to shoot him, nearly severed the man's arm with 
his sword. 

81— Lord Stirling— Patriot 

Lord Stirling, William Alexander, was a native of New Jersey. He 
married the daughter of Philip Livingston, of New York. He was a 
claimant before the British courts for the title and escheated estates of 
the Earl of Stirling, and assumed the title. He was one of the most 
active of the American officers. He died one week before the declaration 
of peace. 

82. — Hessians at Valley Forge 

In an address upon June i8th, 1898. the Hon. Samuel W. Pennypacker. 
referred to the occupation of the Valley Forge huts by a portion of Bur- 
goyne's captive army. 

Three Years Later 

"On Monday Lt. McLean and I set off for the city of Philadelphia. 
Came around by the springs, lost our way by going the back road and 
found ourselves near the Bull Tavern at the Valley Forge. We dined 
near Moor Hall, came thro' our old Encampment, or rather the first 
huts of the whole army. Some of the otificers' huts are inhabited, but 
the greater part are decayed some are split up into rails, and a number 
of fine fields are to be seen on the level ground that was cleared, but in 
places where they have let the shoots grow it is already like a half-grown 
wood." 

Lieut Enos Reeves, Penna Line Sept. 1781 

83. — Washington's Revisit to the Old Camp Ground 

July 30th 1787. 

In company with Mr. Gov'r Morris and in his Phaeton with my horses: 
went up to one Jane Moore's in the vicinity of Valley Forge to get 
Trout. 

July 31st, 1787. 

Whilst Mr. Morris was fishing I rid over the old Cantonment of the 
American (Army) of the winter of 1777-8 — visited all the works wch were 
in Ruins, and the Incampments in woods where the ground had not been 
cultivated. On my return to Mrs. Moores found Mr. Robt Morris and 
his Lady there. 

Diary of George Washington. 



REGIMENTS AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS, 
REVOLUTIONARY ARMY OF 1778 



The following list of regimental and corps formations, with names of 
their commanders, is compiled from the original muster roll for July, 
1778, written by Deputy Muster Master General Wm. Bradford, Jr., 
which is preserved among the most valued treasures of the Pennsylvania 
Historical Society at Philadelphia. It includes all commands which were 
encamped at Valley Forge. 

His Excelency's Body Guard — Capt. Caleb Gibbs. 

Light Dragoons (3 Regiments) 

Cols. Stephen Moylan, Tlieo. Bland and George Blaylor. 

North Carolina 

1st Regt. — Col. Thos. Clark. 
2d " Col. John Patten. 

Delaware 

Delaware Battalion — Col. David Hall. 
At Large — Lieut. Col. Aaron Burr. 
Col. Oliver Spencer. 

New Hampshire 

ist Regt. — Col. Joseph Cilley. 
2d " Major Benjamin Titcomb. 
3d " Col. Alexander Scammell. 
Independent Corps — Capt. Selir. 

Connecticut 

1st Regt. — Col. Heman Swift. 

2d " Lieut. Col. Isaac Sherman. 

3d ■' Major David Sill. 

4th " Col. Philip Bradley. 

5th " Major Joseph Hait. 

6th " Col. John Durkee. 

Massachusetts 



ist Re 


gt.-Col. 


Thos. Marshall. 


2d 


Col. 


G. Bradford. 


3d 


Col 


Benjamin Tupper 


4th 


Col 


Samuel Brewer. 


sth 


Col 


James Wesson. 


6th 


Col 


John Bailey. 


7th 


Col 


Michael Jackson. 



New York 

1st Regt. — Col. Goose Van Schaik. 
2d '■ Col. Philip Cortlandt. 
4th " Col. Henry Livingston. 

Rhode Island 

2d Regt. — Col. Israel Angell. 



Pennsylvania 

1st Regt. — Col. James Chambers. 

2d '■ Col. Walter Stewart. 

3d " Col. Thos. Craig. 

4th " Lieut. Col. Wm. Butler. 

5th " Col. Francis Johnston. 

6th " Col. Josiah Harmar. 

7th " Col. Wm. Irvine. 

9th '■ Col. Richard Butler, 

loth '■ Col. Richard Hampton. 

I2th •■ (Late Col. Wm. Cook.) 

New Jersey 

ist Regt.— Col. Mathias Ogden. 

2d " Col. Israel . 

3d " Col. Elias Dayton. 
4th " Col. Ephraim Martin. 

Maryland 

ist Regt. — Col. John H. Stone. 

2d '• Col. Thos. Price. 

3d ■' Col. Mordecai Gist. 

4th " Col. Josiah C. Hall. 

5th " Col. Wm. Richardson. 

6th •■ Col. Otho Williams. 

7th " Col. John Gumby. 

German Battalion — Lieut. Col. Ludwig Weltner. 

Virginia 

ist Regt. — Col. Richard Parker. 

2d " Col. Christian Febiger. 

3d and 7th Regts. — Lieut. Col. Wm. Heath. 

4th and 12th Regts. — Col. James Wood. 

5th Regt. — Col. Joseph Parkes. 

6th " Col. John Gibson. 

9th " Lieut. Col. Burgess Ball. 

loth ■' Col. John Greene. 

iith and 15th Regts. — Col. David Meson. 

14th Regt. — Col. Wm. Davis. 

1st State Regt. — Col. George Gibson. 

2d " " Col. Gregory Smith. 

At Large — Col. John Parke. 

" Col. Wm. Grayson. 

Artillery 

1st Regt. — Col. Chas. Harrison. 
2d " Col. John Lamb. 
3d " Col. John Crane. 

/Additional 

Pulaski's Legion — Lee's Battalion of Light Dragoons, 
Armanda's Partisan Corps, 

Corps of Engineers, Sappers and Miners, 
Artillery, Artificers, Rangers, Scouts, etc. 



RECORD OF THE BRITISH 
TROOPS IN PHILADELPHIA 



103 




Type of British Soldiery of Gen. Howe's Army in Philadelphia, ittj--]^ 

1. Dukeof Cornwall's Light Infantry (Paoli Massacre) 4- Furty-second Highlanders, Black Watch (Paoli Massacre) 

2. Twenty-second Foot 5- Grenadier 

3. Seventeenth Light Dragoons 6- Sergeant, Cold Stream Guards 

7. Twentieth Foot 



104 



RECORD OF THE BRITISH TROOPS IN 
THE PHILADELPHIA OCCUPATION 



The Light Infantry and Grenadier Companies 

During the War of Independence a British regiment was usually 
composed of two battalions, designated ist Battalion and 2d Battalion. 
These battalions were divided into companies. The first, or grenadier 
company, always held the post of honor, and was on the right, when 
in line, and in front when in column of attack. In the grenadier com- 
pany were placed the tallest and finest men in the regiment, and they 
were distinguished from the others by tall hats. The light infantry 
company always occupied the left of the line, the men composing it were 
the smartest, best drilled and most active, and also the best shots in 
the regiment. The remaining companies were designated battalion 
companies. The ffank companies in each regiment were thus composed 
of selected men and in time of war, when a number of regiments vvere 
assembled together, it was the custom to form the flank companies of 
each regiment into one or more battalions. The system was a bad one, 
however, as the remaining or battalion companies were thus weakened 
in strength and effectiveness by withdrawal of the best two companies 
in the regiment, and the practice has been discontinued. The flank 
companies being thus absorbed by the flank battalions, it is diflicult at 
times to trace their services, as for the time being they formed part of a 
different command. 

The county titles were given to the British regiments in 1782. 

In the Fall of 1777 the American troops under Gen'l Anthony Wayne 
were encamped at Paoli, and a tory made the fact known to the British. 
At midnight of the 20th of September the camp was attacked by the 
42d and 44th Regiments and the Light Infantry Battalion, in which were 
the light infantry companies of the 46th and 57th Regiments, and the 
light companies of four other regiments. They were under the com- 
mand of Major Gen'l Gray, who was known to the Americans a.s the 
"No Flint General" on account of his fondness for the use of the 
bayonet. The attack was sudden and unexpected, and the Americans 
were completely surprised. Three hundred of them were killed or 
wounded, mostly by the bayonet, and but few prisoners taken. The 
remainder escaped under cover of the darkness and swore vengeance 
against the troops who had so cruelly disregarded the ethics of war, and 
promised "no ciuarter" should they ever again encounter the British 
troops who were engaged in the affair. From this incident there came 
about a change in the uniform of the Light Infantry companies of several 
British regiments. Their feathers were at this time white, but in order 
that no other troops should suffer on account of the part taken by them, 
the Light Infantry stained their feathers red, that they might be known 
to the Americans, and to whom they sent word to this effect, and 
throughout the war the red feathers continued to be the distinguishing 
mark of these six companies. For this act of courage the Light Infantry 
were authorized to wear red feathers in their caps and the honor was 
afterwards extended to the whole of the 57th Regiment and continued 
until the entire Light Infantry were ordered to wear green; but the 
custom is still preserved in the regiment by wearing red cloth under the 
helmet plate and cap badge. 

In the 46th regiment the present ornament on the helmet shows a 
"bugle with strings" — which is the Light Infantry emblem — and in the 
centre "a turreted archway" — commemorative of the defence of Lucknow 
— and above it "two red feathers." The early nickname of the 46th 
Regiment was "The Red Feathers," and later "The Surprisers," both 
having their origin from the affair at Paoli. 

105 



Fourth, or "King's Own," Regiment (Royal La^ncasters) 

This regiment left England for America April 17th, 1774. Arrived in 
Boston, it participated in the Lexington and Concord fight, its flanking 
companies also forming part of the Bunker Hill attack. It took part 
m the Long Island campaign, at White Plains and Fort Washmgton. 

In 1777 the regiment marched with the column to Danbury, and later 
became a part of the force transported to the Chesapeake. They were 
in the Germantown action and the skirmish at Edge Hill. After the 
retreat of Clinton's column the regiment was sent to the West Indies. 
The regiment is still existent. 

Fifth Regiment of Foot (Now the Northumberland Fusileers) 

This battalion was formed in Holland in 1674. It was sent to America 
from Ireland upon May 7th, 1774, arriving at Boston. It took part in 
the Lexington, Concord and Bunker Hill affairs, losing more than any 
other regiment present. Like the 4th, they fought at Long Island, 
White Plains and the capture of Fort Washington, also at Brandywine 
and Germantown. 

After the retreat to Sandy Hook the regiment joined an expedition to 
Little Egg Harbor, N. J., and subsequently in company with the 3d New 
Jersey Provincials, a tory regiment, surprised and bayonetted a large 
number of Americans in their quarters. They were soon afterwards 
sent to the West Indies. 

Seventh Regiment Royal Fusileers, now the Royal Fusileers 
( City of London Regiment) 

Formed hi 1685, embarked for Canada in 1773. Defended St. Johns, 
N. B., against Montgomery's expedition. Nearly all of the Regiment 
were taken prisoners here and at Fort Chambly. A detachment of the 
7th were at the defense of Quebec at the end of 1775. The regiment was 
exchanged in the following year and sent to Perth Amboy. They raided 
through New Jersey and along the Hudson, and later joined the force 
in Pennsylvania. Following the Battle of Monmouth they were stationed 
in New York, taking part in the Fairfield, Conn., expedition. In May, 

1780, they were present at the siege of Charleston, S. C, and in January, 

1781, fought at Cowpens, where Morgan punished them severely and 
captured their colors. They remained in South Carolina until 1782 and 
returned to England from New York at the end of the war. 

Fifteenth Regiment of Foot (Now the East Yorkshire Regiment) 

Formed in 1685, this organization left Ireland for North Carolina early 
in 1776, and later joined Howe's command at Staten Island. It fought 
at White Plains and Fort Washington. Were a part of the expedition 
to Danbury, Conn. Following Brandywine, this regiment was a part 
of Gen. Gray's night attack at Paoli. Their Lieut. Col. (John Bird) 
was killed at Germantown, where his body is still buried. Its last action 
was at Monmouth. Several months later it was sent to the West Indies. 



Twenty-seventh (Inniskilling) Regiment of Foot (Now the Royal 
Inniskilling Fusileers) 

Organized in Scotland in 1689. The regiment left Cork for Boston in 
October, 1775. In March, 1776, the command sailed for Halifax. In 
July, 1776, it arrived at Staten Island, and had a part in the actions at 
Brooklyn, White Plains, Fort Washington and King's Bridge. It was 
also part of the force operating in Long Island. The Regiment was 
active at Germantown and in the following spring at Quintins Bridge and 
Hancock's House in lower Jersey. After the retreat from Philadelphia 
it was sent to the West Indies. 

106 



Twenty-eighth Regiment of Foot (Now the Gloucestershire Regiment) 

Raised in Ireland in 1694. Came to America in 1776. Was in battle 
of Rhode Island and fought at Brooklyn, White Plains, Brandywine and 
Germantown, and in 1778 left New York for the West Indies and did not 
return to America. 

Thirty-third Regiment of Foot ( Now the Duke of Wellington's West 
Riding Regiment) 

Raised in England in 1702. Left Cork for America in Feb., 1776, under 
command of its colonel, Earl Cornwallis, and served in nearly all the 
campaigns of the war. It was in action at Brooklyn, Brandywine, 
Germantown, Monmouth, Camden, Guilford and the siege of Charleston, 
and surrendered at Yorktown Oct. 19th, 1781. 

Thirty-seventh Regiment of Foot ( Now the Hampshire Regiment) 

Raised in Ireland in 1702. At the outbreak of the American War the 
37th was ordered to the scene of action, and took part at Brooklyn and 
other early affairs. It was stationed at New York during the latter part 
of the war. 

South Lancashire Regiment, Fortieth Regiment of Foot 
(Now the Prince of Wales' Volunteers) 

Organized in 1717, and sent at once to America. This regiment was 
present at the siege of Louisbourg and formed a part of the Louisbourg 
Grenadiers under command of Gen. Wolfe, who fell while leading them 
at the attack on Quebec. The regiment returned to England after 
forty-six years of service in the American colonies. It was sent to 
America again in 1776. It participated in the early battles including 
Princeton, Brandywine and Germantown. It was six companies of 
this regiment that seized the Chew House at the latter battle and thus 
turned the tide of the afTray. For this act it was honored with the only 
medal given to any regiment by the British Government for deeds done 
in the Revolutionary War. The 40th Regiment formed part of the 
expedition to the West Indies in the spring of 1778. 

"Black Watch" (Nowthe42d Royal Highland Regiment of Foot) 

This is one of the nmst fanidus regiments in the British Army and is 
the oldest of the Highland regiments, having been organized in 1725. 
There has hardly been a campaign conducted by the British army in 
which one or both battalions of this regiment have not participated, and 
their record for gallantry is one of the brightest. They rendered most 
distinguished service in the War of Independence, and their battles 
include Long Island, White Plains, Brooklyn, Fort Washington, Amboy, 
Brandywine. Germantown, Monmouth and siege of Charlestown. They 
surrendered with Cornwallis at Yorktown. 

Forty-third Regiment of Foot (Now the Oxfordshire Light Infantry) 

Raised in 1741. At the outbreak of the Revolution the 43d was the 
first regiment sent out to America. It was stationed at Boston, and 
its first battle was at Bunker Hill, 17th of June. 1775, where it suffered 
severely. It was employed continuously throughout the war, and its 
hard and varied services included Brooklyn, Long Island, White Plains, 
Fort Washington, Brandywine, Monmouth. Quaker Hill and other 
battles, down to the surrender at Yorktown. 

Forty-fourth Regiment of Foot (Now the Essex Regiment) 

Raised in 1740. Embarked for Boston m May, 1775, arriving just after 
the Battle of Bunker Hill. Was at Long Island, Brandywine, German- 
town and Monmouth, after which it was in New York until 1780, when 
it went to Canada. 

107 



Forty-sixth Regiment of Foot ( Now Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry ) 

This regiment participated in the Battle of Brandywine, and its Light 
Infantry companies took part in the night attack of Paoli. 

Fifty-fifth Regiment of Foot ( Now the Borden Regiment) 

Raised in 1756. Fought at Brooklyn. Brandywine, Germantown and 
other early conflicts. It was in New York in 1778 and was sent from 
there to the West Indies the same year. 

Sixty-fourth Regiment of Foot (Now the Prince of Welles' North 
Staffordshire Regiment ) 

Formed in 1758. In 1773 this regiment Vv^as in Boston. Its first battle 
m this country was at Long Island. Formed a part of Lord Howe's 
expedition to the Chesapeake and Philadelphia. Fought at Brandywine 
and Germantown. In 1779 they were active upon the Hudson River, 
and later the regiment took part in the South Carolina campaign, 
including the Battle of Eutaw Springs. In the Southern campaign this 
regiment lost 400 men. 

Old Seventy-first or Frazer's Highlanders 

This regiment was raised in Glasgow in 1776 and numbered 2340 men, 
in two battalions. After the occupation of Philadelphia the 71st was 
ordered back to New York. It was in the Savannah campaign and 
later, at the Battle of Cowpens, retreated in great disorder. At the 
surrender of Yorktown it mustered onlv 300 men. Disbanded at Per;h 
in 1783. 

Sixteenth, or the Queen's Light Dragoons 

Raised in 1759 by Lieut. Col. John Burgoyne. Sent to America in 
the autumn of 1776. Upon Dec. 13th. 1776, this corps captured General 
Charles Lee. The Dragoons were at Brandywine and Germantown and 
were constantly engaged in raids and skirmishes. After Monmouth the 
corps returned to England. 

Seventeenth Light Dragoons 

Raised in 1759. This was the first cavalry organization sent to America 
after the opening of the Revolution. It took part, dismounted, in the 
Battle of Bunker Hill. Upon the evacuation of Boston the regiment 
was sent to Halifax, but soon afterward was ordered to Staten Island. 
The 17th was a participant in the battles of 1776 and the expedition to 
Danbury. The Dragoons were busy throughout the war in foraging for 
supplies both in the North and South. The 17th fought desperately at 
Charleston, Monks Corner, Camden and Cowpens, and remained in 
America until 1783. 

First Regiment Foot Guards 

The Brigade of Foot Guards or Household Troops included the First 
Regiment (now the Grenadier Guards), the 3d Regiment (now the Scots 
Guards), and the Coldstream Regiment (now the Coldstream Guards). 
From these organizations a combined regiment was formed for service 
in America. This regiment reached Staten Island in August, 1776, and 
was in all of the subsequent actions of that year. The Foot Guards 
were in the Germantown battle and had a part at Monmouth, the capture 
of Fort Lafayette and the burning of Fairfield. 

In 1780 the regiment was sent to join Cornwallis in the South, losing 
many officers and men at Guilford Court House. They were surrendered 
at Yorktown. 

Royal Artillery 

Eight companies of this permanent branch of the British military 
forces were with Gen. Howe in Philadelphia. The Royal Artillery 

108 



was organized in 1716. The defenses around Philadelphia were largely 
built by the artillerymen. The remnant of the force was surrendered 
at Yorktown. 

While in Philadelphia the artillerymen suffered much from the cold, 
being without great coats. It is interesting as illustrating the "red 
tape" of the time, to note that a requisition made by this force for 
great coats in 1777 was honored by the home authorities in 1786. 

The Hessian Contingent in America 

The custom of selling their soldiery to other countries was no new . 
thing with the petty prmces of Germany at the time when the American 
Revolution loomed in the West, and Great Britain had frequently been 
a customer at the military bargain-counter of the Hesses. Indeed, so 
active, at times, had been the competition for the unhappy German 
regiments that more than once they had been arrayed in battle against 
each other. The greater statesmen of the Continent condemned this 
traffic in flesh and blood, and Schiller most eloquently protested against 
it in a tragedy, "Cabale und Liebe.". The scenes at the departure of the 
troops from their native land and their families are described as most 
terrible and pitiful. Six provinces furnished these hirelings, Hesse 
Casscl supplying about one-half of the whole. From this principality 
Great Britain bought the services of fifteen regiments of infantry, four 
battalions of grenadiers, one corps of chasseurs and three corps of 
artillery. In all the Hessian contingent numbered 29,867 men. Of these 
about 1200 were killed in battle, 6354 died of diseases and accident, 5000 
deserted and 17.313 eventually returned to Europe. 

The Hessian regiments under Lord Howe were from Hesse Cassel. 
Those who were captured at Saratoga were marched in the autumn of 
1777 across the State of Massachusetts to Boston. Intelligent writers 
among them have recorded that they were much impressed with the 
dignity and soldierly spirit of their captors who, although without 
uniforms and many of them in rags, stood like statues when the prisoners 
were marched between the lines. They also admired the sturdy country 
people who thronged along the route to see them. The plucky Baroness 
Riedesel. with her children, accompanied her husband, the Hessian com- 
mander, and left a sprightly record of her experiences. 

These prisoners were barracked a year at Cambridge, and in Novem- 
ber, 1778, were marched to Charlottesville. Va.. where many of them 
were detained until the end of the war. While in New England they 
were humanely allowed to hire out to the farmers: the Baroness even 
gave a fine ball (June 3d) to the British and Hessian officers, all singing 
"God save the King!" with much defiant gusto. 

The Germans also worked upon the Virginia farms and at their trades, 
those who remained in the country generally marrying and leaving 
many thrifty descendants. One of the regiments which returned to the 
Fatherland marched into its native city behind a drum corps of Southern 
negroes, a souvenir of their long captivity. 

The Loyalists and What Became of Them 

In addition to the Tory soldiery gathered under Lord Dunmore, 
Governor ]\Iartin, of North Carolina, and Henry Ferguson, of South 
Carolina, in the South, and with Col. Butler in Pennsylvania, the following 
enlisted Loyalists are enumerated in "Sabine's American Loyalists" 
(Boston. 1847) : 

The King's Rangers; the Royal Fensible Americans: the King's 
American Regiment; the New York Volunteers: the Maryland Loyalists; 
De Lancey's Battalions (3): the Second American Regiment; the King's 
Rangers, Carolina: the South Carolina Royalists; the North Carolina 
Highland Regiment: the King's American Dragoons; the Loyal Ameri- 
can Regiment; the American Legion; the New Jersey Volunteers (3); 
the British Legion; the Loyal Foresters; the Orange Rangers; the 
Pennsylvania Loyalists: the Guides and Pioneers; the North Carolina 

109 



Volunteers; the Georgia Loyalists; the West Chester Volunteers; the 
Newport Associates; the Loyal New Englanders; the Associated 
Loyalists; the Wentworth Volunteers; and Col. Archibald Hamilton's 
Loyal Militia. Total, ^3 battalions 

The members of these organizations, as well as many who were classed 
only as passive loyalists, fled the country when the British cause failed, 
some going to Jamaica, others to England, but the larger part to New 
Brunswick and Nova Scotia. It is said that, in a single year the popu- 
lation of Halifax was doubled by these refugees. Thousands fled to 
the north shores of the great lakes, where they formed the "United 
Empire of Loyalists," and became pioneers of the Canadian province of 
Ontario. Those who went to London were provided for in either the 
arm}' establishment, in small civil offices or were, in various ways, helped 
along, but among them, wherever they were, there was much suffering 
and bitterness of mind. Some eventually came back to the States and 
secured the return of at least a part of the property they had lost. Within 
ten years after the war had closed the British Government had pensioned 
most of the clamorous loyalist soldiers and had disbursed in Canada 
some £3,292,455 as compensation for property losses by reason of their 
banishment from their old homes, as well as granting to these settlers 
large tracts of land, with farming implements and other necessities. 

The Cost of the War 

The war in America cost the LInited States, including foreign debt of 
$7,885,085, a total of about $42,000,000 and a loss in lives computed at 
100,000 persons. The cost to Great Britain was £152,115,000. or about 
$750,000,000 and the lives of 43,633 soldiers and sailors. 

The British Army in America 

Besides a mighty navy. Great Britain had a force in America amount- 
ing, nearly, to 42,000 men, besides from 25,000 to 30,000 loyalists who 
were actually enlisted in the several provincial corps raised during the 
war. 

Although it is customary in the British service to inscribe battles 
fought by the various regiments upon their standards, the military 
authorities were so humiliated by the result of their long struggle with 
the Americans that the flags of their troops have never borne the names 
of any Revolutionary battles. 

Total Number of Those Who Served in the American 

Army 

According to a Report of the Secretary of War, General Knox, in 1790, 
the troops of the American Army engaged in the War of the Revolution 
were furnished by the States as follows: 

Continentals. Militia. Continentals. Militia. 

New Hampshire . . 12.496 3.700 Maryland 13 832 3.929 

Massachusetts.... 67.907 15.145 Virginia 26,672 4.429 

Rhode Island 5,908 4.284 N. Carolina 7,26s 3.975 

Connecticut 32.039 7.238 S: Carolina 6,660 

New York 17.781 3.866 Georgia 2,679 

Pennsylvania 25,608 7.357 



Delaware 2387 0,376 Totals 231,959 58,747 

In addition to these officially accounted for troops, a conjectural force of 
105,580 men has a place upon the report, composed of more or less 
mythical levies from the various States and of the many who served 
temporarily. These troops are omitted from Nile's Register. 

It will be seen that of the total number of soldiers, as accounted for, 
who served at some time during the war. but five per cent, approximately 
were encamped at Valley Forge. 



PLANS OF THE VALLEY FORGE 
PARK COMMISSION 

Having- at its disposal an ample fund for the prosecution of 
the well-matured plans for the further preservation of the camp- 
ground and for rendering it more attractive and accessil)le, the 
Conuuission is now proceeding to the actual realization of its 
task. It is expected that the building and grounds of the 
Washington Headquarters, which are still in the possession of 
those who have so patriotically and faithfully guarded them for 
many years, \\n\l become the property of the State. When this 
takes place the present small fee charged for admission to the 
building will cease and everything will thereafter be free to the 
public. Certain additional lands are to be secured, the present 
park road macadamized and continued bevond the Washington 
redoubt along the "military crest" of the ridge as far as Port 
Kennedy, making a drive of about six miles in length, along 
which nearly all of the projected State monuments will be placed. 
Mr. A. H. L)Owen, the present secretary, has been appointed 
superintendent, and several guards will be employed to patrol 
these sacred acres. 

Thus, in time, \'alley Forge Encampment field will fulfill its 
destiny as a grand object lesson in patriotism and an impres- 
sive memorial of the men and the story of the American 
Revolutionary struggle. 




^be Bailc\>, Ban^s d BibMe do, 

1218 Chestnut St., Philadelphia. 



3S6abGC6 for Ipatriottc anb IHercbitari? Societies 



A MONG the numerous 
Patriotic Societies which 
enroll such a large portion 
of the most select of the 
American people, none are 
more distinguished than 
those which are composed 
of the descendants of 
Revolutionary soldiers. 

With the awakened in- 
terest in the thrilling history 
of our land, the orders which 
seek to perpetuate and safe- 
guard its sacred memories 
have become numerically 
large and powerful. 





National Society Coloniai Dames 
of America. 



^H-i.!^ 



Society of Cincinnati. 

The right to wear the 
badges, visible tokens of 
membership in these noble 
organizations, is rightly 
considered a high dis- 
tinction. 

Their designing has thus 
received the greatest 
attention. A house known 
throughout the country as 
manufacturers of highest 
grade work of this kind is 
The Bailey, Banks & 
Biddle Co., of Philada. 



1218 Chestnut St., Philadelphia. 




In addition to being the 
Official Insignia Makers 
for the Military and Naval 
Orders of the United States, 
this Company is maker 
also for the majority of 
the Hereditary and Patriotic 
Societies as follows : 



National Society Children American 
Revolution. 

Military Order ot the Loyal Legion of 

the United States. 
Society of the Cincinnati. 
Society of Sons of the Revolution. 
General Society of the War of 1812. 
Military Order of Foreign Wars of 

the United States. 
Society Army of Santiago de Cuba. 
National Society Army of the 

Philippines. 
Society of the Porto Rican Expedition. 
Military Order of the Dragon. 
Military Order of the Carabao. 
Society of Manila Bay. 
Order of Founders and Patriots ot 

America. 
Order of Descendants of Colonial 

Governors. 
National Society Colonial Dames of 

America. 
Order of Runnemede (Magna Charta). 
Society Daughters of the Cincinnati. 
National Society Children American 

Revolution. 
American Society of Mechanical 

Engineers. 



The great growth of 
these organizations dur- 
ing the last thirty years 
is evidence of a Patriotic 
Sentiment among the 
American people, grow- 
ing stronger every year. 



Society of Colonial Wars (Miniature). 
Naval Order of the United States. 
Society Army of the Potomac. 
Society Army of the Cumberland. 
Order of Indian Wars of United States. 
Naval and Military Order Spanish- 
American War. 




Society of Sons of the Revolution. 



113 



flUonumental Htt in Hmerica 



T70R the preservation of historical facts and the glory of great 
men and deeds, the world is indebted chiefly to the builder of 
monuments. The printed page, the written manuscript will fade 
from sight, but stone and bronze are enduring. 

That the encouragement of Monumental Art in America 
has developed greatly within recent years is an evidence of the 




higher plane of our civilization not less than the larger wealth 
of the people. 

The beauty and interest of the cities of Europe are due in 
a o-reat degree to the splendor and abundance of their Monu- 
ments and Statues. 

No other epoch in this country has led in directing public 
attention to this field of art to the same extent as the Civil 



114 



War. In the course of their business as specialists in Military 
Monuments, The Van Amringe Granite Company, of 
Boston, has led all competitors, both in point of excellence in 
design and execution, and the number of monuments they have 
erected. 

This company has furnished 97 Regimental Memorials, and 
three Pedestals for Equestrian Statues at Gettysburg ; 20 Reg- 
imental Memorials at Antietam ; 37 Regimental Memorials and 
State Memorials for Maryland, Ohio and Iowa, at Chicamauga, Ga. 

In the same line of work The Van Amringe Granite 
Company has erected G. A. R. Monuments at the following 
places: 



^^ 



Bellefonte, Pa. 

Meadville, Pii. 

Cambridge, Ohio. 

Ypsilanti, Ohio. 

Big Rapids, Mich. ^ 

Wakefield, Mass. 

Gardner, Mass. 

f- 
Upton, Mass. 1, 

Brantord, Mass. 

New London, Conn. 

South Norwalk, Conn. 

West Haven, Conn. 

Norwich, Conn. 

Biistol, R. I. 

Kingston, R. I. 



The amount and variety of designs which have been executed 
for other purposes, including private work, is too large to specify 
in this space. 

The Van Amringe Granite Company will prepare designs 
and submit estimates P'ree of Charge to any committee or 
commission, guaranteeing quality, durability and originality at 
moderate prices. 

Address 

XLbc Dan anunutjc Granite Company) 

172 Tremont Street, 
Boston, Mass. 



lis 




The Colonial Spring 
at Valley Forge / / 



I 



N the storied dajs following the Revolu- 
tion, the correct thing in select and 
fashionable society was a journey and a 
sojourn at the famous springs of the 
Schuylkill Valley, and many a stately coach 
rumbled over the rough roads leading 
through the Chester County woods, bearing 
gouty worthies to these havens of health from the pleasures of the town. 
As early as 1809 the pollution of the Schuylkill River was a matter of 
complaint, and those who lived within reach of the lusty springs, which 
poured their clear waters unfettered into the river, were deemed fortunate. 
Far up on the western hill slope above the Valley Forge stream, one 
of the finest of these pure fountains has long guslied forth from the rocks, 
and close by, in those far away days, the historic Slab Tavern gave rude 
entertainment to those who came here for the undoubted benefit of the water. 
This beautiful Spring may be reached conveniently from Valley 
Forge Station. It has been enclosed within a fine stone building, whence 
it is conveyed by glass pipes to a bottling house, from which it is sent 
under conditions of absolute purity in large ciuantities to the city of 
Philadelphia and elsewhere. 

Being within a brief walk of the village of Valley Forge, it is well worth 
visiting, especially as its site commands a splendid view of the surrounding 




The Spring House and Bottling Plant of Colonial Spring. 



116 



country. The water may 
be liad free of charge by 
all visitors. 

The large tract of 
land surrounding and 
above the Colonial Spring 
and rising to an elevation 
of more than six hundred 
feet, is controlled by the 
Colonial Spring Co., and 
is entirely primeval in its 
condition. The Spring 
flows directly from a 
stratum of the limeless 
Potsdam Sandstone. 

Repeated analyses by well-known chemists prove this water to be abso- 
lutely pure. It is rapidly gaining favor in Philadelphia homes, where it is 
being served in sterilized and sealed bottles and demijohns at a moderate 
price. It is the water one can always be sure of. 

THE COLONIAL SPRING CO. 

258 N. Broad St., Philadelphia. Pa. 



1 







*^^iu. 4 




jF^lp^^?^ 


^^-' . 








m 


■*! 


p! 


•^^^ 


' 





The Primeval Hills above Colonial Spring. 




\^'fi'X: ' 




Interior of Colonial Spring Building 



117 



BETZWOOD 



FAMOUS 



STOCK FARM 



IN the midst of a region noted for its splendid tillage and beautiful vistas, 
Betzwood, upon the eastern shore of the Schuylkill River, opposite Port Kennedy 
and within sight of Valley Forge, is the most extensive and beautiful farm 
property. This fine tract of more than a thousand acres has been developed by 
Mr. John F. Betz, of Philadelphia, as not only an ideal country home for himself 
and Mr. John F. Betz, Jr., but as a stock farm for the breeding and sale of fine 
cattle and horses. Mr. Betz also engages here in raising of carriage, saddle and 
draught horses of registered pedigrees. Betzwood includes besides its broad 
grazing acres, extensive 
well-planted lawns, thread- 
ed with winding private 
drives, handsome modern 
residences, conservatories, 
a deer park and large 
power house upon the 
banks of the river. Betz- 
wood station, upon the 
Schuylkill division of the 
Pennsylvania Railroad, also 
upon the property, is 
reached by frequent trains 
in about one hour from 
Broad St. Station. Mr. 
Buck Taylor the famous 
frontiersman is superinten- 
dent. 




THE CONSERVATORY. 



TO VALLEY FORGE VIA THE PHILA- 
DELPHIA 6 READING RAILWAY 



Valley Forge is reached direct l:>y rail via the Schuylkill Valley 
Division of the 1 'hiladeli)hia & Reading Railway. The time 
from the Reading Terminal, Philadelphia, is about one hour. 
The Valley Forge Station is close to the old Washington 
Headquarters l)uilding and at the northeastern corner of the 
Reservation. 

The village of Valley Forge is nestled in the sluulows of the 
defile, nuich of it in picturescjue ruin. The grounds and 
buildings of the 1 Icadcjuarters are kept in excellent repair and 
are always open. At the Washington Inn good meals may 
be had and carriages engaged for a tour of the Reservation. 
Ample conveniences exist for excursions and picnics. A path- 
way leads from the station up the slope to the remains of the 
earthworks which, connnencing near the river, extend westward 
along the hillsides. 

One mile 1)elow the station is the site of the log iM'idge built 
across the river at Fatland Ferry by Gen. Sullivan's brigade. 

The little journey from the city to this scene affords glimpses 
of nmch that is charming in the scenery environing the Schuylkill 
River. 



CARRIAGES FOR VALLEY FORGE 

Arrangements may be made for vehicles desired by large or 
small parties of visitors for a tour of the Valley Forge encamp- 
ment field by addressing Mr. Ivin C. Walker, Carriage Bazar, 
A'orristown, Pa. This establishment is prepared to send four- 
horse omnibuses or individual conveyances to stations along 
either the Pennsylvania Railroad or the Philadelphia & Reading- 
Railway. The drivers are familiar with the field and are satis- 
factory guides. Bell telephone, 520 E Main. 



119 



ALONG THE HISTORIC MAIN LINE 



The region immediately to the westward of Philadelphia which 
is traversed l:)y the main line of the Pennsylvania Railroad is 
at once most beautiful in natural attractions and the character 
of its many residential villages and costly private domains, 
and most historically interesting in relation to the American 
Revolution. It was through this section that the British army 
advanced in September, 1777, after the Battle of Brandy wine, 
and only the intervention of a heavy rain-storm prevented the 
occurrence of a battle here which would, probably, have changed 
the story of the war for Freedom and possibly the destiny of 
the nation. Atany of the existing buildings closely related to the 
tale of Valley Forge used as headquarters, hospitals and outposts 
are scattered along the ridge or in the valley to the south and 
west of the encampment park. At Paoli stands the monument 
where the merciless night attack of General Gray's cohunn upon 
Wayne's farmer soldiers resulted in a massacre which stands 
forever as a blot upon the fair fame of the British army. 

It is a delightful ride from Valley Forge across the country 
to Berwyn upon the main line, rich as the whole scene is in its 
historic suggestions. The approach to Valley Forge from 15r}n 
Mawr bv carriage leads past the ruins of the old Gulf Mill, the 
scene of a Revolutionary encampment of some days' duration, 
and by the old "King of Prussia" Road, along which the hungry 
but resolute Continentals marched to the protecting height of 
Valley Forge. This approach to the field is most impressive. 




APR 



=^4 



